The 2023 NFL Draft is just days away and all eyes will be focused on the event as the game’s next generation of players will be selected to achieve their dream of playing in the prestigious league.
One of the most talked-about players set to feature in the draft is quarterback CJ Stroud, whose life will change overnight once his name is called. Especially if he is the very first draft pick and given the number of records he holds at college level, it is a very real possibility.
Despite the buzz around him, Stroud is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. "Wherever God wants me to be, that's what's important," he said in Las Vegas last week. "I mean, I know that He has a plan in my life, so whether I go 1, 2, 3 in the draft, wherever it's at, I'm ready for it, and I'm blessed to be here."
CJ Stroud's Net worth
According to Clutch Points, Stroud’s net worth is estimated to be $2.4million. As he became one of the best college quarterbacks in recent memory, several brands were queuing up to acquire his services, given the NCAA now allows college athletes to earn money via endorsements and build their brand in the process.
The 21-year-old has secured deals with the likes of Monarc Sport, Express, eFuse and Designer Shoe Warehouse, the latter of which is said to be one of his most lucrative partnerships. The report also suggests the youngster is making approximately $2.9m from just endorsement deals.
Furthermore, media publication Rookie Road noted that Stroud earns $8,000 for each of his social media posts. In an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, regarding the brand deals and the handling of his finances, Stroud said: “It’s definitely changed my life for the future and I think it’s a jump-start to being a businessman before you get to the NFL, if that’s your path.”
Who is CJ Stroud's partner?
As of writing, it is unknown if Stroud is in a relationship, as he has kept his private life relatively low-key on his social media platforms. There appears to be no information regarding any previous relationships. The Ohio State Buckeyes star is very much focused on his football as he sits on the cusp of entering the NFL.
This significantly impacted Stroud's family as the athlete spent his high school years living in a small apartment on top of a storage unit and the family came close to losing their home, on top of them not being able to afford a private coach. Last December Stroud told reporters how difficult it has been for him in the absence of his dad.
"My pops, he was my best friend. To have your best friend snatched up like that was awful," Stroud said. "I only focus on the good things my father did, but I wasn't like that for a while. I genuinely resented my dad. Man, how could you abandon me in such a way?"
His mother Kimberly raised Stroud and his three siblings herself, and she is immensely proud of her son's exploits in the sport “C.J.'s worked so hard and just to see it all go full circle and evolve, you know, just such a great performance by him," Kimberly said. "He's really showing just how solid he is not just as a player, but decision-making, footwork. He looks so amazing."
Career records
Stroud was born in Rancho Cucamonga, California on October 3, 2001 and attended Rancho Cucamonga High School. While there he completed 474 of 754 pass attempts for 6,569 yards in his four year stint, along with 70 passing touchdowns. After receiving multiple offers for college football programs, in 2020 Stroud decided to represent the Ohio State Buckeyes.
He had a quiet debut campaign, but erupted in the 2021 season as he completed 71.9% of his 441 pass attempts for 4,435 yards and notched a career-best 44 touchdowns. He would continue his sparkling form in 2022 as he made 258 of his 389 pass attempts for 3,688 yards along with 41 touchdowns, and won the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year distinction in the process.
The 2021 and 2022 Heisman finalist holds records at Ohio State, such as successfully completing the most passing yards in one game with 573, in addition to being the first player to throw for six touchdowns on three occasions. Ahead of taking the giant leap to the NFL, Stroud said he was trying to stay relaxed and is taking things one step at a time. "I'm just honestly just trying to stay stress-free," he said last week.
"I mean, a lot of things are not in my control anymore. I feel like the combine and pro day, there were controllable for me. People gotta pick me and I don't gotta make no hard decisions so I'm trying to stay stress-free."
