COLUMBUS – Buckeye freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud is among the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, which will be presented in New York on Saturday.
The redshirt freshman from California completed 71% of his passes for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions in his first year as a starter.
Stroud is the eighth Ohio State player to be named a finalist for the award, dating back to Les Horvath in 1944. The most recent Heisman Trophy winner from OSU Was Troy Smith in 2006.
Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who helped the Wolverines end an eight-game losing streak to rival Ohio State, win a Big Ten championship and a berth in the CFP semifinals, is the only defensive player among the finalists.
Quarterbacks Bryce Young of Alabama and Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh are the other finalists for college football’s highest honor.