At least that’s what the OSU program has never had much of a problem promoting.

Burrow was in Ohio State’s program for three years, most of which was spent behind J.T. Barrett. His career consisted of 29 of 39 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns. But he never started a game. In fact, when it was finally his time to do so he lost the 2018 battle to Dwayne Haskins, who went on to set records and be a first-round draft pick in 2019.

Burrow headed south to LSU where he put up modest numbers at best in 2018. Then he exploded in 2019, leading the Tigers to a national title while throwing for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns, winning the Heisman Trophy and being the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

That season has turned Burrow into what he is today: an MVP-caliber franchise quarterback leading a Bengals team with Super Bowl aspirations.

“Joe is somebody I respect a lot,” Stroud said. “I was a big fan of his, especially when he was at LSU. Of course, he was at Ohio State so we’ve got that similarity. We met each other over the summer and we got to talk about some things we’ve kind of had some similarities being Buckeyes and stuff like that. He had a lot of great advice for me that I’m still using to this day.

“Somebody that I look up to. Really happy that he’s getting it rolling and he’s having a great season so far.”

Burrow and Stroud have often spoken highly of each other given their cordial relationship Burrow even came to see Stroud in person when he attended Ohio State’s 21-10 win over Notre Dame in last season’s opener.

“He’s playing really well,” Burrow said. “It’s always exciting when you’ve got guys that come into the league and play well. I know C.J. I know the kind of guy he is. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s playing as well as he is. I know he’s gonna continue to work as hard as he is to maintain that success.”

That was the first time he’d been inside Ohio Stadium since the 2018 spring game.

That game, offseason and everything that came before has set up the world we live in now. Everything that makes Joe Burrow “Joe Burrow” happened when he left Ohio State. But that doesn’t keep the program from claiming him.

The Buckeyes never stopped rooting for Burrow — an Ohio native — even after he left. It would’ve made for an interesting storyline in 2019 had OSU beat Clemson and met LSU in the title game.

This willingness to claim a player who has never started a game for your team has created a fun conversation of who is responsible for his development. Is it the school he spent more time at that Burrow often credits with showing him how to be a leader? Or is it the school that maximized his talents by actually deciding to use them?

Everyone has their opinion of which side they’re on. But rarely has anyone just asked Burrow where he stands on the matter. Until now.

“I always say I went to school at Ohio State, I played football at LSU,” Burrow said. “That’s how I think about it.”

Ohio State basketball signed its 2024 recruiting class on Wednesday. The class isn’t as highly touted as the previous two cycles ranking 39th nationally and eighth in the Big Ten, but it’s also a smaller class featuring just two names.

John “Juni” Mobley Jr. is a Columbus native who attends Wasatch Academy in Utah. He’s the No. 43 player and No. 6 point guard. He’s been committed since October 2022 as the first member of the class.

Colin White comes from Ottawa-Glandorf High School as the No. 117 player and No. 23 small forward, picking the Buckeyes back in August.