C.J. Stroud dropped his bold claim for college football’s biggest prize.
The Houston Texans quarterback has been lighting up the league during his rookie season, but he’s now focusing his attention on his former teammates.
Stroud played his college football at Ohio State, where his top receiver will be in his final year in college.
Marvin Harrison Jr. has risen to the top of NFL draft boards as the undisputed top wide receiver in the draft class, but Stroud believes he should be considered the top prospect in all of college.
At the end of every college football season, the best player is chosen to receive the Heisman Trophy, and Stroud believes that honor belongs to Harrison.
“If he doesn’t win the Heisman, that’s rigged,” Stroud said on “Let’s Go!” Tom Brady and Jim Gray Podcast.
Harrison had an elite season at Ohio State, tallying 1,063 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns on just 59 catches.
He ranks seventh in college football in receiving yards and second in receiving touchdowns.
While he is undoubtedly one of the best receivers and overall players in the country, there are two receiver prospects who are having equally strong campaigns.
LSU’s Malik Nabers is having his best receiving season yet in 2023. He caught 72 passes for 1,284 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.
Most Read American Football
Washington’s Rome Odunze also performed well, catching 59 passes for 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns.
All three of these elite wide receiver prospects will be eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft and will likely all go in the first round. However, speculation is rife that Marvin Harrison will finish in the top five or higher.
Unfortunately for Stroud, the Heisman likely won’t select these talented receivers. Historically, the award has primarily been given to quarterbacks in recent years, and one quarterback is putting together a ridiculous 2023 season.
LSU’s Jayden Daniels is plotting a campaign similar to Lamar Jackson’s 2016 Heisman year.
So far, Daniels has passed for 3,164 yards, 30 touchdowns and only four interceptions. In addition, he rushed for 918 yards and eight touchdowns.
Daniels ranks third nationally in passing yards, first in passing touchdowns and leads quarterbacks in rushing yards.
Players have two games left in the season to change their Heisman odds, but Harrison currently ranks fourth in odds for the award.