The larger-than-life, six-foot-three rookie quarterback CJ Stroud from the Ohio State University has taken the National Football League by storm. Reporters and fans alike are saying that selecting Stroud with the second overall pick in the 20223 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans is the biggest steal of this year’s draft class. As the 2023 NFL season progresses, one thing that is clear is CJ Stroud has changed how Houstonians feel about their team and the direction of the Texans.
Draft Night
Anybody who is familiar with CJ Stroud’s college career knew that Stroud was one day going to be commanding an NFL offense, the only question was where. Leading into the first night of the 2023 NFL Draft all the pre-draft talk centered around the top two quarterbacks in the draft, Bryce Young and Stroud, and the Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans who held the number one and two picks respectively, and the right to select one of these young quarterbacks. Ultimately, Bryce Young was selected first overall by the Panthers and the Texans gladly took Stroud with the second overall pick.
Putting the League on Notice
After the Houston Texans lost their first two games of the season, a matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars was an opportunity to turn the season around. CJ Stroud came out with a red-hot Houston offense and never looked back. Stroud dismantled the Jaguars’ defense for 280 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. This game also cemented Stroud’s chemistry with fellow rookie receiver and former Houston Cougar, Tank Dell.
Here to Stay
With nine weeks left in the 2023 NFL Season, CJ Stroud leads the league in passing yards, interceptions, and deep pass completion percentage. Stroud is also on track to break the rookie quarterback passing yards record and is in consideration for Rookie of the Year and the league’s Most Valuable Player. CJ Stroud has shown no sign of slowing down his great play and has propelled the Houston Texans into playoff contention for the first time since 2019. With the addition of CJ Stroud as a franchise cornerstone, it seems that Houston Texans football has a great future ahead of it.
