Limpert Tech on iHeartRadio 4/30/22 - CJ Stroud, Ohio State Starting Quarterback, now with Express NIL Deal

Rick is joined by Ohio State starting quarterback this week on iHeartRadio.

Stroud is Express' first-ever Collegiate Athlete Style Ambassadors along with fellow local Columbus collegiate football player Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Have a listen:

Stroud was born on October 3, 2001, and later attended Rancho Cucamonga High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. As a senior, he was the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin offensive player of the year after passing for 3,878 yards and 47 touchdowns. In 2019, he was the MVP of the Elite 11. Stroud was selected to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl. He committed to Ohio State University to play college football.

Stroud spent his true freshman year at Ohio State as a backup to Justin Fields. He did not attempt any passes but had a 48-yard rushing touchdown.


Stroud was named the starting quarterback as a redshirt-freshman following the departure of Justin Fields to the 2021 NFL Draft. He was chosen over freshman Kyle McCord and fellow redshirt-freshman Jack Miller III. Coach Ryan Day credited his decision-making, leadership skills and accuracy as the reason he earned the starting spot.

Stroud started all his regular season games except for one against Akron in order to rest a shoulder injury he sustained in the season opener. Over the season, he earned first team All-Big Ten Honors, won Big Ten Freshman of the Week six times, was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, and was the only quarterback in Ohio State history to throw for five touchdowns against Big Ten competition four times in a single season. He led the team to a 10-2 record in the regular season, losing to Michigan in their final game. However, he and Ohio State bounced back from this disappointment at the Rose Bowl, coming back from a 14 point deficit against Utah to win 48-45 in a thriller. Stroud threw for a school and Rose Bowl record 573 yards in the win, and also tied a school record and set a Rose Bowl record with 6 touchdown passes.

In April, Express, announced its partnership with hometown athletes CJ Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as its first-ever collegiate style ambassadors. The announcement is part of the retailer's goal to connect with new customers through a range of influential partners, which includes style editors, influencers, ambassadors and now, college athletes. Stroud and Smith-Njigba will work alongside Express and leverage their platforms to share how they approach dressing for off-the-field occasions and inspire others with their personal style.

Stroud’s home life has also played an integral role in his ability to remain within himself despite increased national notoriety. Stroud said both his parents have preached the importance of being humble since he was a child, and as the youngest of five children, his siblings aren’t afraid to knock him down a peg to remind him of the need for humility.

It's what led to this historic partnership with Express. Stroud is destined for success on and off the field.