CJ Stroud went to college at Ohio State University. He played as the starting quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, having a highly successful college career from 2020 to 2022, including being a two-time Heisman finalist and leading Ohio State to a Rose Bowl win and a College Football Playoff appearance. He is from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and chose Ohio State over other offers from schools like Georgia and Michigan.