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Buckeyes QB Second Most Important Person in Ohio Behind LeBron James?

Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud had one of the best careers under center in program history, getting drafted second overall by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Casey Smith

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Hey Ohio, this is for you.

Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud told Houston Texans reporters that as a quarterback he just wants to focus on being a good leader. He said being the signal caller for the scarlet and gray is still the second-most important person in the state and it requires good leadership.

"Coming from a place like Ohio State, where the quarterback is really — other than LeBron, you're right under LeBron — you're the leader of the whole state," Stroud said.

The Inland Empire, CA. native was taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft Thursday after starting the past two seasons at Ohio State, throwing for over 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns.

LeBron James played for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003-10, then 2014-18, delivering the city its first championship in 52 years in 2016.

James' efforts were lauded for obvious reasons, earning a 10-story banner on the side of the Sherwin-Williams building in Cleveland. It was taken down after he announced his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

James opened his I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, OH. in 2018.

The James family legacy in the state of Ohio can continue to be written if top-50 uncommitted class of 2023 combo guard and James' son, Bronny James, chooses the Buckeyes over USC and Oregon.

In Stroud's time, he delivered otherworldly performances against Utah in the Rose Bowl and against Georgia in the Peach Bowl last season, owning program records for the most single-game passing yards and touchdowns, the most consecutive completions in a row and the highest single-season completion percentage.

Stroud said in addition to "the main goal" of being a great leader and teammate, the other goal he wants to accomplish is adjusting to the new scheme and coaching in Houston. He said with hard work, he will persevere.

"I honestly don't have a limit on how good I can play," Stroud said. "Nothing is going to be given to me. Everything is going to be earned, and that's just how I like it. That's how it's been my whole life, and that's how it's going to continue to be. That's what's going to make me a great player."

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Casey Smith
CASEY SMITH

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