Ex-Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud suggests Buckeyes suspected Michigan stole signs

The Houston Texans rookie and former OSU star weighs in on the sign-stealing scandal at rival Michigan.

Michigan football is at the center of an alleged sign-stealing scandal currently under investigation by the NCAA. Suspended Wolverines staff member Connor Stalions is accused of purchasing tickets to more than 35 games at 17 different college football stadiums over a three-year period with intent to steal signals from upcoming opponents and potential College Football Playoff contenders. Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, who went 0-2 against rival Michigan in college, was asked about the scandal during a Houston Texans press conference Wednesday.

“I’m not that type of person to go back — ‘Ah, they did that?’ They beat us. It is what it is,” Stroud said, via Dave Holmes of WBNS in Columbus. “I’m not super happy with that, but man, I’m in the NFL now. I’m not worried about what happened in college, but we had an idea on maybe if that stuff was going on. At the end of the day, it is what it is. I’m not here to go back and forth with that. I’m a Texan now. It is what it is. I’m not tripping off that.”

The investigation into the sign-stealing scandal involving the Michigan football program began when an outside firm approached the NCAA with files and video obtained from computer drives allegedly maintained by coaches on the Wolverines’ staff, according to a report from the Washington Post. Last week, Michigan suspended Stalions with pay amid the ongoing investigation.

The extent of the suggested evidence presented in the report from The Post could implicate other Michigan staff members, including head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was already at the center of an offseason NCAA probe regarding recruiting violations.

Anonymous sources provided The Post with a schedule detailing Michigan’s travel plan for sign-stealing for the rest of the 2023 season. It also included a budget of about $15,000 with scouts attending in person more than 40 games played by 10 different opponents. Eights trips were scheduled for games involving Ohio State, which had the most followed by two-time reigning national champion Georgia. Each trip cost about $3,000 with ticket prices included.

A recent report stated the Ohio State staff and another Big Ten head coach were aware of Stalions. Michigan beat the Buckeyes each of the past two seasons and won consecutive Big Ten titles en route to College Football Playoff trips.

Stroud was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, two-time Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Year and two-time Big Ten Quarterback of the Year. He ended his college career with a 21-4 record as the Buckeyes’ starter — with two of those losses coming against Michigan.

Stroud completed 69.3% of his passes at Ohio State, totaling 8,123 yards and 85 passing touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also added 80 rushes for 136 yards and a touchdown.

The Houston Texans selected Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Stroud rated as a five-star prospect coming out of Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) in the 2020 recruiting class. He ranked as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback and No. 29 overall recruit regardless of position in the cycle.

Stroud signed with Ohio State over Georgia, Michigan and numerous other Power Five programs.