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| C.J. Stroud | |
|---|---|
| Name | C.J. Stroud |
| Birth date | 2001-10-03 |
| Birth place | Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S. |
| Weight lb | 215 |
| College | Ohio State |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Current team | Houston Texans |
| Draft | 2023 NFL Draft, 2nd overall |
C.J. Stroud is an American professional football quarterback who plays for the Houston Texans. He played college football at Ohio State, where he became a two-time finalist for the Heisman Trophy and earned multiple All-American honors before being selected second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Known for his accuracy, decision-making, and pocket presence, he has drawn comparisons to prominent quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Joe Burrow.
Born in Rancho Cucamonga, California, Stroud attended Rancho Cucamonga High School before transferring to Normandin High School and later to Rancho Cucamonga High School again, where he played under coaches connected to regional programs like Southern California prep circuits and participated in camps hosted by Nike and Under Armour. He competed against notable high school programs that produced athletes who attended USC, UCLA, Notre Dame, and Alabama, and he was recruited by programs including USC, Oregon, Michigan, and Ohio State. His recruitment drew interest from scouts associated with the ESPN recruiting network, Rivals.com, 247Sports, and Scout.com, which evaluated his pro-style quarterback skill set. During his high school career he faced teams that sent prospects to the NFL and participated in camps alongside players from Deion Sanders's networks and The Opening regional showcases.
At Ohio State, Stroud redshirted his first year before taking over under center in a program led by head coach Ryan Day and offensive staffs that included coordinators who had worked with Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel. He posted passing totals that placed him among recent Buckeye quarterbacks such as Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, and J.T. Barrett, producing high-yardage performances against Michigan, Penn State, and Clemson. Stroud earned Big Ten honors, featured on watchlists for the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Award, and was named a consensus All-American while competing in postseason games like the College Football Playoff and the Rose Bowl. His work with Ohio State's strength staff, sports medicine personnel, and quarterback coaches mirrored paths taken by alumni who advanced to the NFL Players Association ranks and earned invitations to the NFL Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl.
Stroud entered the 2023 NFL Draft and was selected second overall by the Houston Texans, joining a roster built by general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans. In his rookie season he started games at NRG Stadium against teams including the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Indianapolis Colts, working with offensive coordinators whose backgrounds include schemes used by Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan. His rookie campaign featured matchups against quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow, and he collected rookie milestones comparable to recent No. 2 picks like Justin Herbert and Carson Wentz. The Texans' roster-building moves around him involved acquisitions and draft picks from franchises such as the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, and Dallas Cowboys, and his development has been tracked by analysts at NFL Network, ESPN, The Athletic, and Bleacher Report.
Stroud operates as a pro-style passer with traits evaluated by scouts from the NFL Scouting Combine and analysts who compare technique to quarterbacks coached in systems by Josh McDaniels, Kellen Moore, and Mike McCarthy. He demonstrates pocket awareness reminiscent of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, arm strength that draws parallels to Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson, and timing on intermediate throws similar to Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. His mechanics were refined under college coaches who studied film of quarterbacks like Brett Favre and Peyton Manning, and his decision-making in two-minute drills and red zone sequences has been analyzed alongside veterans from the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl–winning rosters.
During his collegiate tenure Stroud set and approached records within Ohio State passing lists and Big Ten single-game and single-season categories, ranking near historic figures such as Troy Smith, Eddie George (as a program legend), and Cardale Jones in postseason wins. He received awards including Heisman Trophy finalist recognition, Maxwell Award finalist status, and multiple Davey O'Brien Award watchlist appearances, and he was named to All-American teams and seasonal All-Big Ten squads. As an early-career professional he recorded franchise rookie records and was nominated for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in seasons that drew comparisons to award winners like Justin Herbert and Baker Mayfield.
Stroud's background includes family influences who supported his athletic development and mentors linked to youth programs in Los Angeles County, California, San Bernardino County, California, and collegiate alumni networks at Ohio State University. Off the field he has engaged with community initiatives involving partnerships similar to those run by the NFLPA, local chapters of United Way, and youth football camps modeled after programs hosted by NFL veterans such as J.J. Watt and Patrick Mahomes II. He maintains connections with agents and representation firms that work with clients who have negotiated contracts with teams like the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.
Category:African-American players of American football Category:American football quarterbacks Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players Category:Houston Texans players