Ohio State Proves To Be Rookie Of The Year Factory Following C.J. Stroud's Win

The Ohio State Buckeyes now have six rookie of the years since 2016.

If a player hopes to win the NFL's Rookie of the Year honors, attending Ohio State is a strong starting point.

At least that's what recency bias tells of the Scarlet and Gray.

With Houston Texans and former Buckeyes quarterback, C.J. Stroud's Offensive Rookie of the Year honors Thursday night at the NFL Honors Awards in Las Vegas, Nev., Ohio State has totaled six ROY honors since 2016.

Stroud bested Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua to become the second Buckeye to receive the honor in back-to-back years. Former Ohio State and current New York Jets receiver Garret Wilson — won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 after securing his first 1,000-yard season.

USA Today Sports

Drafted No. 2 overall, Stroud became the fifth rookie in league history to throw for 4,000-plus yards in their first year. He also joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only quarterback to lead the league in passing yards per game (273.5) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (23-5) in the same season.

Stroud also became the youngest quarterback (22 years old) to win a playoff game, and the first rookie since Jets’ passer Mark Sanchez to secure a postseason victory against the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round last month.

“I want to thank Ohio State and coach (Ryan) Day, Todd Fitch,” Stroud as he accepted the award at the Resorts World Theater. “A ton of Buckeyes out here have given me nothing but support and show a young kid some love 2,000 miles from home."

Ohio State Star Randy Gradishar Named to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Four defensive players won the award from 2016-2020. Joey Bosa took home the title after recording 10.5 sacks with the Los Angeles Chargers. A year later, Marshon Lattimore won the award following his breakout season with the New Orleans Saints.

Nick Bosa, the No. 2 pick in 2019, followed in his brother's footsteps with nine sacks and 72 pressures while helping the San Francisco 49ers reach the Super Bowl. In 2020, Chase Young joined the group with 7.5 sacks on the Washington Commanders.

Ohio State's dominance with the transition to pros knows no bounds. The only question left; who's next?