During his press conference Friday morning, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud struck a balance between taking accountability for a perceived deficiency in his game while accentuating a perceived strength in how he plays quarterback.
First, Stroud put the reason for his lack of collegiate rushing attempts squarely on himself. Per Pro Football Focus, Stroud rushed 74 times for 294 yards (4.0) yards/carry as Ohio State's starter from 2021-2022; that averages out to three carries for 12 yards per game.
From NFL.com's evaluation of Stroud: "Hesitance to use his legs can put a cap on his success rate."
Stroud, though, set career highs against Georgia in the 2022 College Football Playoff Semifinal with nine carries for 78 yards; his six scrambles and three missed tackles forced were also career highs.
Here's how Stroud talked about his mobility on Friday at the NFL Combine:
"I didn't do it a lot in college and I feel like I should have," Stroud said. "It's something I do regret. I feel like I could have done it a lot more. But I think when you turn on the film and you really watch what I do, and you really look at film game to game, I have used my athleticism not only just in the Georgia game where I did it a lot. I've done it in every other game.
"I've had tough third-down runs. I've had tough fourth-down runs. But there were times I didn't run the ball when maybe I should have. I feel like that's something that I learned and that's what football is about. It's about stepping back up to the plate and going back and working hard and fixing those problems. That's something I plan to fix and I'll show them my athleticism. I've done it before on film, but since people don't think I can do it, I'm going to do it again."
Where Stroud shined with the Buckeyes was with his ball placement, accuracy and anticipation, all traits he believes will help him in the NFL. Again, from NFL.com: "The most naturally accurate top-tier quarterback in the 2023 draft class."
"I tried to describe myself as free-flowing but still disciplined," Stroud said. "Able to take the completion when it's there, but at the same time making plays. I like to be just confident in myself. Another thing I like to do is extend plays and take the routine plays when they're routine. I don't try to press the envelope, and I think that's very important being a quarterback sometimes.
"You want to let your teammates know that you're not always trying to be Superman, but when you need to make that play and you can extend that play, you get a lot more respect from your teammates. So those are just things I like to do. I think I'm a playmaker. I think I'm very creative. And I think I'm smart when it comes to protections and things like that because I solve a lot of issues before they're even there. That's something pride myself on it.
"And one thing about me, I think I'm a ball-placement specialist. I like to be very accurate. I don't want my receivers have to do really anything to catch the ball. And I think I've shown that time and time on film."
Quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends took the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson looks on during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis stretches at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Penn State wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley stretches for a flexibility measurement at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Sae Woon Jo of the Denver Broncos measures Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett warms up before he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TCU quarterback Max Duggan runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
TCU quarterback Max Duggan runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis warms up before he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Shepherd quarterback Tyson Bagent runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
TCU quarterback Max Duggan warms up before he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham warms up before he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern Mississippi wide receiver Jason Brownlee runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Maryland wide receiver Dontay Demus participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Shepherd quarterback Tyson Bagent participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Maryland wide receiver Jacob Copeland runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
TCU quarterback Max Duggan runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern Mississippi wide receiver Jason Brownlee runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Maryland wide receiver Dontay Demus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Maryland wide receiver Dontay Demus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arkansas wide receiver Jadon Haselwood runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Maryland wide receiver Dontay Demus runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Fresno State wide receiver Jalen Cropper runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
TCU wide receiver Derius Davis stretches before he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker relax before they run drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, left, talks to Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham and Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Sae Woon Jo of the Denver Broncos instructs quarterback prospects at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Sae Woon Jo of the Denver Broncos measures Kentucky quarterback Will Levis at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis watches as other prospects stretch for measurements at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Quarterback and wide receiver prospects listen to instructions at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
TCU quarterback Max Duggan stretches as he is measured at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wideouts receive instruction during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
North Carolina wide receiver Antoine Green participates in the standing jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell warms up during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett talks with Ohio St. quarterback C.J. Stroud during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. participates in the broad jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Purdue wide receiver Charlie Jones runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker looks on during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson participates in the gauntlet drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Ohio St. quarterback C.J. Stroud throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Louisiana wide receiver Michael Jefferson participates in the vertical jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Virginia wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham interacts with Fresno St. quarterback Jake Haener during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
TCU quarterback Max Duggan throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Cincinnati wide receiver Tre Tucker runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Shepherd quarterback Tyson Bagent throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
BYU quarterback Jaren Hall throws a pass during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
SMU wide receiver Rashee Rice participates in the gauntlet drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Ohio St. quarterback C.J. Stroud warms up during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Arkansas wide receiver Jadon Haselwood participates in the gauntlet drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Maryland wide receiver Rakim Jarrett participates in the gauntlet drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Princeton wide receiver Andrei Iosivas participates in the gauntlet drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
North Carolina wide receiver Antoine Green runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Louisiana wide receiver Michael Jefferson participates in the vertical jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
North Carolina wide receiver Antoine Green runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Southern Miss wide receiver Jason Brownlee participates in a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Friday, March 3, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer warms up during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Arkansas wide receiver Jadon Haselwood runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Maryland wide receiver Rakim Jarrett runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson warms up during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Ohio St. quarterback C.J. Stroud warms up during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Maryland wide receiver Rakim Jarrett runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Fresno St. quarterback Jake Haener runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Stanford wide receiver Elijah Higgins runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Stanford wide receiver Elijah Higgins runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Liberty wide receiver Demario Douglas participates in a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
BYU quarterback Jaren Hall warms up during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis participates in a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham runs a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Old Dominion tight end Zack Kuntz runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The tight ends group prepare for the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Clemson tight end Davis Allen runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Clemson tight end Davis Allen runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Purdue tight end Payne Durham runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Oregon St. tight end Luke Musgrave runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Wake Forest tight end Blake Whiteheart runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Georgia tight end Darnell Washington runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Old Dominion tight end Zack Kuntz runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
Old Dominion tight end Zack Kuntz runs the 40-yard dash during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
