Ohio State's quest to add a second quarterback to the 2020 class took a turn as the Buckeyes have officially offered a scholarship to four-star quarterback CJ Stroud.
Blessed to have EARNED a(n) offer from THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY #gobucks pic.twitter.com/CrtuhEFMRs
— 1. (@CJ7STROUD) October 9, 2019
The No. 4 pro style quarterback and No. 133 overall prospect in the 2020 class, Stroud visited Columbus for the Michigan State game, bringing along his quarterback trainer Quincy Avery, who previously worked with both Justin Fields and Dwayne Haskins.
Though uncommitted and just recently receiving an offer, Stroud has been the source of rumors and speculation for weeks before making his offer public, even prompting current Ohio State four-star quarterback commit Jack Miller to re-affirm his commitment to the Buckeyes.
Stroud has already developed relationships with many current Ohio State commitments, both on and off the field. At Nike's The Opening Finals in June, Stroud played on the same 7-on-7 team with Buckeye receiver commits Julian Fleming and Gee Scott Jr. as well as Ohio State cornerback commit Lejond Cavazos and current quarterback commit Miller.
Ohio State has had a commitment from Miller since last summer, but feels the need to add another quarterback to the class given the current state of the quarterbacks room, which will feature just two returning scholarship players. With the addition of Miller, that number grows to three, but Ryan Day wants four.
"We always want to have four on scholarship," Day said. "And you do the best you can to adapt year in and year out and make the best decisions you can."
As for the risk adding Stroud to the mix causes current commit Miller, Day acknowledges that the quarterback position in college football is as "sensitive as it can be" but isn't going to make any promises to a prospect besides that there will be three other players vying for the starting job.
"I think what you tell them in recruiting is all we can guarantee is that there's going to be three other guys in the room with you, and you're going to be part of an unbelievable program, have all the resources you need, be part of a great culture, and you're going to get coached up at the highest level," Day said. "And all we can guarantee is that, and the fact there's going to be three other guys in the room with you."
Miller remains committed to the Buckeyes, and his father has publicly expressed that the coaching staff and his son are on the same page regarding the addition of another quarterback to class.
"To be clear, nothing has changed, coaches or Jack, both are aligned," Miller's father Tweeted. "all the talk about another 2020 (quarterback), it was inevitable with transfers, and situation. Jack will compete with all comers, and we are kept informed of prospects, doesn’t change anything...the trust in the process and his coaches. He is ready to compete."
