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Rivalry rumor: CJ Stroud possibly staying at Ohio State in 2023

CJ Stroud, the generational Ohio State quarterback whose career has been defined by an 0-2 record vs. Michigan, might be staying at OSU.

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Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Rayshaun Benny (26) in the second half at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Despite an 11-0 start to the 2022 season, Ohio State’s top-2 ranking and undefeated record all fell apart on November 26th, 2022. The Michigan Wolverines, who were also 11-0 at the time, came into Columbus and gave the Buckeyes an even worse beat down than they did the year before in Ann Arbor (42-27). Michigan’s 45-23 win over Ohio State in ‘The Shoe’ felt like a massive turning point in the UM-OSU rivalry, but for CJ Stroud, the Michigan loss meant even more.

CJ Stroud is defined by Michigan losses

From 2012-2020, Ohio State football was undefeated against Michigan; in fact, Ohio State has won all but five matchups since the turn of the century. That being said, U-M remains undefeated against Ohio State this decade with back-to-back blowout wins over the Buckeyes. Since 2021, OSU has seen an elite quarterback under center: CJ Stroud. Stroud is touted as one of the nation’s top QB prospects heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, and has the potential to be the No. 1 overall pick this year.

That being said, Stroud has unfinished business at Ohio State. In 2021 — his first year as a starter — Stroud led the No. 2 Buckeyes into Ann Arbor with a 10-1 record and a trip to the Big Ten Championship on the line. No. 5 Michigan — who was a heavy underdog at the time — limited the Buckeyes to a mere 27 points in its 15-point win. The year after, Stroud’s Buckeyes had a similar opportunity in Columbus, but again fell short.

In 2021, the loss set OSU to 10-2 overall and to the Rose Bowl game. Ohio State finished the year with 11 wins and a close win over Utah in the Rose Bowl, yet the season still felt like a disappointment. Last year, despite being as close as anyone has ever been to beating Georgia over the past year, Ohio State shanked a game-winning field goal to fall to 11-2 overall yet again.

While Stroud’s numbers have been great during his time with the Buckeyes, his legacy is primarily defined by one thing: he is winless against Michigan. On top of that, Stroud has 0 Big Ten Championship appearances, 0 College Football Playoff wins, and one postseason win (2022 Rose Bowl). If that was not enough, Stroud has not finished above No. 3 in the Heisman voting in back-to-back years despite being one of the favorites on a yearly basis.

CJ Stroud’s career at Ohio State — much like Ryan Day’s last two seasons — has been disappointing. When he is on, Ohio State looks unstoppable, but when the lights get too bright, the Buckeyes tend to fold.

If Stroud had beat Michigan — just once — OSU would have gone to a Big Ten Championship game and likely the Playoff as well. With that in mind, it is safe to stay that Stroud’s career has been defined by the Buckeyes two-straight losses to Michigan — both of which came in dominant fashion.

Could Stroud return to Columbus in 2023?

Ohio State is losing a lot of talent this year but could still be a huge threat to the Big Ten and CFP in 2023. Right now, the rumor is that CJ Stroud could be holding out for a massive NIL package to then decide whether or not he wants to return to Ohio State next season. Seeing as Stroud is a projected top pick this year, this could be one hell of an NIL deal.

Regardless, Stroud staying would not be good news for Michigan football. As funny as it has been to see Ohio State lose two-straight games to U-M with a generational QB, beating Stroud three times in a row would be exponentially harder. CJ Stroud has until Monday to declare for the NFL Draft, and while I see it as likely that he leaves Ohio State, this offseason could get a lot more interesting if Stroud stays.

Only time will tell, but this is certainly a storyline to keep an eye on over the weekend.

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FOOTBALL

A new breakout player is emerging during Michigan’s spring practices

All Michigan fans need to know this kid’s name heading into the 2023 season.

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Michigan football breakout player Tyler Morris
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — You may not have heard his name much just yet, but there is a key breakout player on Michigan’s offense during spring practices right now. As we turn the page to the 2023 season this fall, Tyler Morris is a name that all Michigan football fans need to be keeping an eye on.

Tyler Morris is standing out during the Wolverines’ spring practices

The Michigan football team is seeing a new standout right now: Tyler Morris, a rising sophomore wide receiver in the Maize and Blue. According to the coaching staff, Morris is on the rise as we head into the 2023 season in just a few short months. According to The Wolverine, Morris has been mentioned frequently as an up-and-comer thus far, and could have a breakout season this year. Here is what Morris had to say:

“I feel like it’s going good. For me, it’s just a lot more comfortable,” Morris told The Wolverine. “Last year, freshman year, you’re trying to figure everything out, [get to] know the offense. You don’t really know just how the program works completely. I was still trying to come back from my knee [injury] a little bit. This year I felt just more comfortable, used to things, knowing how it goes. Not as much trying to figure everything out.”

According to Morris himself, he has learned a lot from former standout receiver Ronnie Bell, who recently appeared at Michigan’s Pro Day in Ann Arbor. “I looked at him a lot, just being an older guy,” Morris said. “That’s what I’m hoping to do, step into the role he had last year and try to take what I learned from him and apply it to my game.

“I have no issue with blocking. That’s just part of the game. You can’t be a receiver and only expect to catch, score touchdowns, all that. Especially at our school … we have great backs. We’re going to run the ball, so you’d better be able to block. I feel like it’s a mindset, being physical and not being scared to go hit somebody.”

According to Morris, he loves being mentioned as a breakout candidate, but knows the job is never finished.

“It feels good to be noticed like that. For me, I’m kind of just proving it to myself,” Morris said. “That’s kind of where I expect myself to be, so it was nice seeing other people start to see me that way. I’m just looking forward to this year to go through it.”



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Former Wolverines are clamoring over JJ McCarthy ahead of 2023

A few former Michigan standouts cannot say enough about JJ McCarthy’s talent.

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Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — The Michigan Wolverines are heading into what should be a special season for the third year in a row. After winning Big Ten titles and making College Football Playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022, Michigan football is loaded and returning more production than many have ever seen from a championship team. Recently, during Michigan’s pro day ahead of the NFL Draft in April, starting quarterback JJ McCarthy had a chance to flash his skills in front of some scouts while throwing to combine players like Ronnie Bell.

According to former Michigan football players, JJ McCarthy is looking incredible heading into the Wolverines’ spring game on April 1st.

Ronnie Bell claims JJ McCarthy showed out at Michigan’s pro day

Here is what former Michigan football standout receiver Ronnie Bell had to say about the Wolverines rising junior quarterback during Michigan’s pro day:

“He was zipping that thing today,” Bell told The Michigan Insider. “Really, really fun. Especially throughout this whole little process, being gone, I’ve been not with him for so long. You almost take for granted how good he was. And then you come back and get to throw with him again. It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh. He’s really, really good.’

“The ball was coming, for sure,” Bell said. “He always threw it pretty good. Now he’s got even more touch and zip on it. So definitely a lot of fun and pretty to catch … He got better every play. Throughout every game, it was like as the game went on, he was growing and getting better. Watching him and watching him in practice, he just feels so comfortable and just so dialed-in on everything. Talking to him too about how the new offense is being oriented: He really likes it and is comfortable with it.”

“[J.J] knows how to time me up and throws a good ball, too,” former Michigan football tight end Joel Honigford said. “So it was nice to work with him opposed to somebody else just brought in that we would throw the first time today. J.J. is a good quarterback, and he set us up well for success. And it was nice for him, too.”

Michigan football could see even bigger and better from McCarthy this fall

According to JJ McCarthy himself, he is bigger, faster, and stronger right now than he ever has been before. Here is what McCarthy had to say about his current size and ability:

“I was playing at like 193 last year, now I’m around 207, 205,” McCarthy said. “Fluctuating in that range. Herb definitely did a good job and some outside influences for sure.

“It’s helping with my growth,” McCarthy said. “Bigger, stronger, faster. Every single year, just trying to improve those areas of my game. I don’t know how it’s gonna improve it, but I know it’s gonna be for the better.”



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan football has a unique workout program that has led to sustained success

Ben Herbert and the strength program is a massive reason Michigan has been so successful as of late.

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Michigan football star Mike Morris
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines edge Mike Morris (90) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

ANN ARBOR, MI — Many of the best players and coaches in Ann Arbor, including head coach Jim Harbaugh, have cited Michigan’s strength and conditioning program as a main reason for the Wolverines’ recent success. Strength coach Ben Herbert has been a crucial part of Michigan football going from 2-4 in 2020 to winning back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2021 and 2022. Recently, former Michigan football star Mike Morris explained what makes the Wolverines’ strength program so impactful.

Mike Morris explains the unique Michigan football workout plan

During the 2023 Michigan football pro day, 2022 Wolverine star Mike Morris had a lot of high praise for Michigan’s strength program and strength coach Ben Herbert. As most know by now, the Wolverines’ strength and conditioning program has been cited as a key reason for Michigan’s quick turnaround and the program’s sustained success over the past two seasons. Just like many others in the building, Mike Morris is a huge fan of what Herbert has done with the Wolverines’ resources.

“Coach Herb would change stuff on purpose just to mess you up,” Morris told The Michigan Insider. “We have conditioning and he would, for instance, he’ll say, ‘Mike, pick a number one through five.’ And I’ll say, ‘three.’ He’ll pick every third guy and will tell them to go jump in the cold tub. And then they’ll go jump in the cold tub and then come out, and then they’ll start conditioning. He’ll do stuff like that where it’s like, okay, your back is up against the wall.” 

“He’ll call a guy by random. ‘Pick a number 1-100.’ Somebody picks 100, and the 100th guy had to do OG chin holds and had to beat his time,” Morris said. “And he put Vaseline on the bar. So we were like, ‘Bro, you’re cheating!’ He was like, ‘No, he has an excuse. He has an excuse. So if he doesn’t make it, he can blame it on the Vaseline. If he does make it, he had conquered all the odds.’

“So that’s what he does. He lays out workouts for us to have an excuse. But if you’re a grown man, you’re gonna get the job done.” 

“I feel like Michigan prepared me in the mental aspect of it,” Michigan football star Mike Morris said. “This place is run just like the NFL. I’d say we probably practice and hit more, but that’s probably the difference. 

“Coach Herb just has us laser focused on what we need to accomplish. Not necessarily worrying about stuff like what the schedule is or what are we doing today, or if we have conditioning, what’s the conditioning? He has us so wired and so laser focused that anything and everything that comes in our way or even in life, anything comes in life, we can handle it.” 



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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