COLUMBUS, Ohio – Thursday was a terrific night for three former Ohio State Buckeyes who all received major National Football League honors on the cusp of Super Bowl LVIII. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stoud was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive lineman Cam Heyward earned NFL Man of the Year honors and linebacker Randy Gradishar learned that he’ll be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer.
C.J.: 6th ROY Since 2016
Stroud become the second consecutive former Buckeye to earn NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, joining wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who took home the honor last season. Stroud led the NFL in passing yards per game (273.5) and touchdown-to-interception ratio while throwing 191 consecutive passes without an interception. Stroud and the Texans won the AFC South division and won a wild card playoff game over the Cleveland Browns.
Stroud is also the sixth Buckeye in the last eight years to win an AP Rookie of the Year honor. The others are Joey Bosa (Defensive – 2016), Marshon Lattimore (Defensive – 2017), Nick Bosa (Defensive – 2019), Chase Young (Defensive – 2020) and Garrett Wilson (Offensive – 2022).
Stroud was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist (2021 and 2022) while at Ohio State and a two-time honoree as the Big Ten Conference’s offensive player of the year and quarterback of the year. He threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns and set or tied 16 school records. He was a team captain in 2022.
NFL Man of the Year!
A 13-year NFL veteran with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Heyward is a six-time nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year. His foundation, Heyward House, supports childhood hunger, cancer and literacy, among others. He also recently launched a toy and coat drive and supports teachers with a Teachers Appreciation Dinner during training camp.
Heyward, Ohio State team captain in 2010 and a first-team all-Big Ten honoree that year, recorded 163 total tackles as a Buckeye between 2007-10. He ranks 15th all-time at Ohio State with 37.5 tackles-for-loss and 17th with 15.5 quarterback sacks.
53: 11th Buckeye Enshrined into Pro Football HoF
Gradishar’s news brings the number of former Buckeyes in the Hall of Fame to 11. He joins Cris Carter (2013), Sid Gillman (1983), Lou Groza (1974), Dante Lavelli (1975), Dick LeBeau (2010), Orlando Pace (2016), Jim Parker (1973), Ed Sabol (2011), Paul Warfield (1983) and Bill Willis (1977).
Gradishar was voted into the Hall of Fame after being selected as one of three senior finalists for this year’s class. His NFL career includes 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos in which he made the Pro Bowl seven times. The NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, he is still the Broncos’ all-time leading tackler.
At Ohio State, Gradishar started from 1971 through 1973 and was a two-time first team All-American. He held the school record of 320 total tackles at the completion of his career. He has previously been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998, the Academic All-America Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983.
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