C.J. Stroud passes Ohio State football’s Heisman Trophy contender torch, but not to a quarterback

COLUMBUS, Ohio — C.J. Stroud took the baton with a objective, following in a line of Ohio State soccer Heisman Trophy contenders below Ryan Day.

Dwayne Haskins handed off to Justin Fields, who made the change to Stroud in Miami after the 2020 nationwide championship sport. First-year quarterbacks below Day usually are not simply potential contenders to achieve New York. Their efficiency is judged by that commonplace.

So perhaps that’s excellent news for Kyle McCord, this season’s backup to Stroud, and Devin Brown, the true freshman who will attempt to catch up and problem him for the starter’s job. They are going to have the confirmed teaching and path to improvement. They are going to have, as all the time, an abundance of top-shelf weapons. They are going to actually have a pretty difficult street schedule — 4 of OSU’s 5 hardest video games come away from Ohio Stadium — on which to show themselves.

In addition they have competitors for that journey to New York on their very own roster. No OSU participant goes into 2023 with extra identify recognition, star energy and electrical capability than Marvin Harrison Jr. He will probably be a consensus All-American, or probably a unanimous one, by the top of this week. Many have been shocked he didn’t win the Biletnikoff Award because the nation’s prime receiver this season. That’s his award to lose subsequent season.

Advisable Buckeyes tales

What Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s playoff absence means for Ohio State soccer

Ohio State makes the School Soccer Playoff, assumes one in every of its biggest underdog roles: Buckeye Discuss

Ohio State soccer envying Georgia, chasing Michigan and residing the underdog life

Some have already taken discover. Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel tweeted that he listed Harrison third on his Heisman poll this yr. So did Matt Brown of The Athletic. Since some porttion of the voting block units apart bias in the direction of quarterbacks and voted on the pound-for-pound greatest soccer participant you noticed, assist for Harrison is smart.

The Heisman solely releases the highest 10 vote-getters, so we don’t know what number of Harrison acquired. Cracking that prime 10 subsequent yr will probably be powerful sufficient. Successful it requires an ideal storm.

Harrison’s numbers this season are nice. Solely thee receivers have greater than his 12 touchdowns. Solely 4 Energy 5 receivers common greater than his 96.4 yards per sport. His 72 receptions are technically greater than Chris Olave or Garrett Wilson ever achieved, although the pandemic-shortened 2020 season could be blamed for that.

To win it, although, Harrison’s numbers might want to overwhelm. Alabama’s DeVonta Smith didn’t win the Heisman merely by handing over spotlight reel performs on the common. He additionally needed to pile up the numbers. He totaled 1,511 yards and 17 touchdowns on 98 receptions in 13 video games. That’s earlier than the playoff.

So subsequent yr, when Harrison is much more of a marked man on each snap than he’s this season, his counting stats might want to undergo the roof.

But Smith additionally had narrative in his favor, too. Jaylen Waddle, initially anticipated to contend for the title of greatest receiver within the nation, acquired harm and missed many of the season. Smith not solely took on a lot of these catches, yards and touchdowns, he additionally absorbed a whole lot of credit score for serving to save a nationwide championship season.

That in the end is why Smith turned the primary receiver in 19 years to win.

So these are the obstacles. Now to the explanations it may occur.

Harrison just isn’t merely one other good Buckeye receiver. He generally does unusual issues on the sphere. Along with his breakaway velocity, he can twist and contort himself above, round and seemingly by means of defenders.

He’s the participant most certainly to make school soccer cease and take note of him on any given weekend.

We must always not assume Harrison may even replicate this season’s efficiency with out the assistance of Stroud. Their shared belief, and Stroud’s precision, created the circumstances for a few of Harrison’s most bewilderingly spectacular catches.

But the man throwing to him subsequent yr may very well be McCord, his outdated teammate from St. Joseph’s School Prep. The duo got here in collectively, began exhibiting up on the Woody Hayes Athletic Heart to run early morning routes as freshmen and have constructed a connection for years.

Day has stated the quarterback at Ohio State ought to all the time be a Heisman Trophy contender. In an offense this prolific and for a crew this seen and profitable, finalist standing is all the time inside attain.

Harrison doesn’t have historical past on his aspect, however the whole lot else may line up for a uncommon alternative.

For those who or a liked one has questions and desires to speak to knowledgeable about playing, name the Ohio Drawback Playing Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the Nationwide Council on Program Playing Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700.