Potential No.1 draft pick CJ Stroud opens up on creative way fans criticise him

21 February 2023 , 19:01

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CJ Stroud revealed the lengths fans went to criticise him

NFL draft prospect CJ Stroud has an incredible career at Ohio State in his three years at the school, leading the Buckeyes to a 24-4 record and a tough playoff defeat to eventual champion Georgia Bulldogs.

Stroud had to sit behind Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields in his freshman year, but became the starter in 2021 and 2022 where he performed as one of the better passers in all of college football.

Despite his impressive performances though, Stroud had his doubters after following up from Fields, and was roundly criticised even when the team had been winning games...to a bizarre extent.

Stroud does not have a social media presence during the season, and he revealed that instead of commenting on his profiles, fans would get their frustrations out by sending him money on Venmo during the season just to criticize his play.

Speaking to Saturday Tradition, he said: "We're all humans and some people tell you that they don't care, they're blocking it out.

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"For me and my teammates, being at Ohio State, if you have social media or any type of technology, Ohio State fans have it and I was getting DM's - I don't have social media during the season - I was getting DM's on Venmo, the money app through fans telling me to play better. It comes with the territory.

"It was insane, but at the end of the day, it comes with the territory. I learned so much from it."

C.J. Stroud is expected to be picked in the top five

Stroud is a strong candidate to be drafted with the first overall pick in this year's class which is filled with three other quarterbacks competing for the spot.

Alongside Stroud, Bryce Young (Alabama), Will Levis (Kentucky) and Anthony Richardson (Florida) are all in the running to be picked first, a selection held by the Bears who are expected to trade down to a team in need of a quarterback.

Stroud finished fourth in the Heisman voting back in 2021, and moved up to third this past 2022 season. Stroud finishes his college career with 8,123 passing yards and 85 touchdowns to his name, with just 12 interceptions.

Charlie Wilson