C. J. Stroud Explained

C. J. Stroud
Current Team:Houston Texans
Number:7
Position:Quarterback
Birth Date:3 October 2001
Birth Place:Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:218
High School:Rancho Cucamonga
College:Ohio State (2020–2022)
Draftyear:2023
Draftround:1
Draftpick:2
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
  • NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2023)
  • Pro Bowl (2023)
  • PFWA All-Rookie Team (2023)
  • Second-team All-American (2022)
  • Third-team All-American (2021)
  • 2× Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2021, 2022)
  • 2× Big Ten Quarterback of the Year (2021, 2022)
  • Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2021)
  • 2× First-team All-Big Ten (2021, 2022)
Statseason:2023
Statweek:18
Statlabel1:Passing attempts
Statvalue1:499
Statlabel2:Passing completions
Statvalue2:319
Statlabel3:Completion percentage
Statvalue3:63.9%
Statlabel4:TD–INT
Statvalue4:23–5
Statlabel5:Passing yards
Statvalue5:4,108
Statlabel6:Passer rating
Statvalue6:100.8
Pfr:StroCJ00

Coleridge Bernard "C. J." Stroud IV (born October 3, 2001) is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he holds several school records, including most passing yards in a single game with 573, as well as being the first player to throw for six touchdowns three times. Stroud was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021 and 2022 and was selected by the Texans second overall in the 2023 NFL draft. In his rookie season, he led the Texans to a division title and playoff victory en route to winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Early life

Stroud was born on October 3, 2001, in Rancho Cucamonga, California, the youngest of four children.[1] [2] In 2016, his father, Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, received a 38-years-to-life sentence after pleading guilty to kidnapping, carjacking and robbery in connection with a drug-related incident under California's three-strikes law.[3] As of 2023, his father has been incarcerated since Stroud was in middle school,[4] and is serving his sentence in Folsom State Prison near Sacramento. The incarceration sent the Stroud family into severe financial debt; they lived in a small apartment above a storage facility as Stroud entered Rancho Cucamonga High School.[5] [6] [7]

As a senior, he was the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin offensive player of the year after passing for 3,878 yards and 47 touchdowns.[8] In 2019, he was the MVP of the Elite 11.[9] Stroud was selected to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl.[10] Initially considered a 3-star recruit, Stroud finished high school as the third-highest rated quarterback of his class.[11] [12] He committed to Ohio State University to play college football.[13] [14] [15]

Stroud has been friends with Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young since the two went to high schools located in Southern California. The two continued their friendship in college, and ultimately were selected with the first two picks in the 2023 NFL draft.[16]

College career

2020 season

See also: 2020 Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

Stroud spent his true freshman year at Ohio State redshirting as a backup to Justin Fields.[17] [18] He played just eight snaps in 2020, throwing no passes, but did score a 48-yard rushing touchdown against Michigan State.[19] He also played one snap in the 2021 Sugar Bowl against Clemson after Fields took a hard hit to the ribs.[20]

2021 season

See also: 2021 Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

Stroud was named the starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman following the departure of Fields to the 2021 NFL draft. He was chosen over freshmen Kyle McCord, Quinn Ewers, and fellow redshirt freshman Jack Miller III. Coach Ryan Day credited his decision-making, leadership skills, and accuracy as the reasons that he earned the starting spot.[21]

Stroud started every game for the Buckeyes aside from a Week 4 game against Akron in order to rest a shoulder injury he sustained in the season opener.[22] Over the season, he earned first-team All-Big Ten Honors; was named the Big 10 quarterback of the year; won Big Ten Freshman of the Week six times; was a finalist for both the Davey O'Brien Award and the Heisman Trophy; and became the only quarterback in Ohio State history to throw five touchdowns against a Big Ten competitor four times in one season.[23] He led the team to a 10–2 record in the regular season, with losses to Oregon and bitter rival Michigan.[24] The loss to Michigan cost Ohio State the chance to play in the Big Ten Championship. Ohio State bounced back from this disappointment at the Rose Bowl; coming back from a 14-point deficit against Utah to win 48–45. Stroud broke both school and Rose Bowl records with 573 yards thrown in the Rose Bowl; he also tied a school record and set a Rose Bowl record with six touchdown passes.[25] He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.[26]

2022 season

See also: 2022 Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

Following a successful 2021 season, Stroud entered 2022 as one of the best players in college football, as well as the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.[27] [28] On October 8, 2022, Stroud threw six touchdown passes against Michigan State, setting a conference record for “most six passing touchdown games in a career” (with 3), and passed Justin Fields to move to second place on the Ohio State career passing touchdowns list.[29] [30] Stroud and the Buckeyes once again came up short against rival Michigan in their annual meeting, this time losing at home in Columbus 45–23.[31] Despite the loss, the Buckeyes were selected as the fourth and final team for the College Football Playoff.[32] In the Peach Bowl semifinal against the top-seeded Georgia Bulldogs, Stroud had a strong performance, throwing for 348 yards and four touchdowns, but the Buckeyes lost 42–41, ending their season.[33] At the conclusion of the regular season, he again was named a finalist for the Heisman trophy for his season.[34] He finished third in the voting behind winner Caleb Williams from USC and Max Duggan from TCU.[35] On January 16, 2023, Stroud announced that he would forgo his remaining two years of college eligibility and enter the 2023 NFL draft.[36]

Statistics

Season! colspan="3"
GamesPassingRushing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
20203 0 — 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0 1 48 48.0 1
202112 12 10–2 317 441 71.9 4,435 10.1 44 6 186.6 32 −20 −0.6 0
202213 13 11–2 258 389 66.3 3,688 9.5 41 6 177.7 47 108 2.3 0
Career 28 25 21–4 575 830 69.3 8,123 9.8 85 12 182.4 80 136 1.7 1

Professional career

2023 season

See also: 2023 Houston Texans season. Stroud was selected by the Houston Texans with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft on April 27, 2023.[37] Being second overall, Stroud became the highest drafted quarterback in Ohio State's history.[38]

On September 10, 2023, Stroud made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, where he threw for 242 yards in the 25–9 loss.[39] During Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, Stroud threw his first two NFL touchdowns, one to Nico Collins and the other to Tank Dell, and finished with 384 passing yards in the 31–20 loss. Stroud's 384 yards are the second-most in a single game by a Texans rookie quarterback.[40] The following week, against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Stroud finished 20-of-30 for 280 yards with two touchdowns as the Texans won 37–17.[41] He also joined Cam Newton and Justin Herbert as the only players in NFL history to put up at least 900 passing yards in their first three games.[42] Stroud was named the Offensive Rookie of the Month for September, finishing the month with 78 completions on 121 attempts with 906 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.[43]

In Week 5, Stroud threw his 177th pass attempt without an interception, breaking the previous NFL record set by Dak Prescott for the most pass attempts without an interception to begin a career in NFL history in a 21–19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.[44] The streak ended the following week against the New Orleans Saints at 191 attempts; Saints linebacker Zack Baun intercepted the pass but had the ball punched out by wide receiver Nico Collins with offensive tackle Tytus Howard recovering the ball for the Texans.[45] In Week 8, Stroud faced his friend and fellow top draft pick Bryce Young for the first time in the NFL. Young came out on top in a defensive battle, 15–13. Stroud threw for 140 yards and had his first rushing touchdown in the loss.[46] In Week 9, Stroud passed for 470 yards, breaking the single-game passing yard record for a rookie quarterback that was previously set by Andrew Luck in 2012. Stroud also passed for five touchdowns, during a 39–37 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[47] The game also marked just the third time in NFL history a quarterback has thrown for at least 470 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions, joining Y.A. Tittle and Ben Roethlisberger.[48]

In Week 14 against the New York Jets, Stroud suffered a concussion during the fourth quarter as the Texans lost 30–6.[49] After a two-game absence, Stroud made his return in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans, completing 24 of 32 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown in a 26–3 victory.[50] In a win-or-go-home situation against the Colts, Stroud completed 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns in a 23–19 win, clinching the Texans' first playoff berth since 2019.[51] During this game, Stroud became just the fifth quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 4,000 yards in their rookie season.[52] Stroud also became the third player in league history to lead the league in passing yards per game (273.9) and touchdown/interception ratio (4.6) in the same season, joining Tom Brady in 2007 and Joe Montana in 1989.[53] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[54]

In his playoff debut against the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round, Stroud tied the rookie record for most passing touchdowns in a playoff game and became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game in league history as the Texans won 45–14. Stroud finished the game completing 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards, three touchdowns, and a near-perfect passer rating of 157.2.[55] In the Divisional round against the top-seeded Ravens in a rematch of Week 1, Stroud was held in check, completing 19 of 33 passes for 175 yards and a 72.2 rating as the Texans lost, 34–10.[56]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesPassingRushingSacksFumbles
HOU15 15 9–6 319 499 63.9 4,108 8.2 273.9 75 23 5 100.8 39 167 4.3 16 3 38 331 8 4
Career 15 15 9–6 319 499 63.9 4,108 8.2 273.9 75 23 5 100.8 39 167 4.3 16 3 38 331 8 4

Postseason

YearTeamGamesPassingRushingSacksFumbles
HOU2 2 1–1 35 54 64.8 449 8.3 224.5 76 3 0 109.3 4 10 2.5 7 0 0 0 0 0
Career 2 2 1–1 35 54 64.8 449 8.3 224.5 76 3 0 109.3 4 10 2.5 7 0 0 0 0 0

NFL records

Texans franchise records

Personal life

Stroud is the son of Coleridge and Kimberly Stroud. He has two older brothers and one older sister.[61] He is a Christian.[62]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Husslein . Megan . October 4, 2022 . Happy Belated Birthday, C.J.! 21 things to love about Stroud . October 17, 2022 . Land-Grant Holy Land . en.
  2. Web site: Carpenter . Zack . February 8, 2020 . "I've Been Through Hell and Back:" C.J. Stroud's Roller-Coaster Upbringing Taught Him How to "Scratch and Claw Through Life" . October 17, 2022 . Eleven Warriors . en.
  3. Web site: People v. Stroud . August 11, 2023 . casetext.com . Casetext, Inc..
  4. Web site: Wasserman . Ari . November 14, 2019 . Ohio State QB target C.J. Stroud's past and what it can tell us about the future . October 17, 2022 . The Athletic . en.
  5. Web site: Dellenger . Ross . December 30, 2022 . Family, Football and Forgiveness: C.J. Stroud’s Road to the Playoff Was Anything but Easy . August 11, 2023 . Sports Illustrated.
  6. Web site: Marshall . Pete . September 5, 2019 . Rancho Cucamonga quarterback C.J. Stroud adjusts to being in high demand . June 1, 2023 . Daily Bulletin.
  7. Web site: Spratling . Shotgun . November 19, 2019 . Rancho Cucamonga quarterback CJ Stroud is highly coveted but uncommitted . June 1, 2023 . Los Angeles Times.
  8. Web site: Robin . Brian . December 29, 2019 . Rancho Cucamonga's C.J. Stroud is the Sun/Bulletin offensive player of the year . June 1, 2023 . Daily Bulletin.
  9. Web site: Jordan . Jason . August 14, 2019 . Chosen 25 quarterback C.J. Stroud settling in to stardom after winning MVP of Elite 11 . June 1, 2023 . USA TODAY High School Sports . en-US.
  10. Web site: Ramos . Gus . November 5, 2019 . Four-Star Quarterback CJ Stroud Honored as a 2020 All-American . June 1, 2023 . NBCSports.
  11. Web site: Power . Charles . August 25, 2021 . How CJ Stroud went from under-the-radar recruit to Ohio State's starting QB . October 21, 2022 . On3 . en.
  12. Web site: C.J. Stroud, Ohio State Buckeyes, Quarterback . October 21, 2022 . 247Sports . en-US.
  13. Web site: Means . Stephen . December 18, 2019 . CJ Stroud, 4-star QB, commits to Ohio State football on National Signing Day 2020: Buckeyes recruiting . June 1, 2023 . cleveland.com.
  14. Web site: Zuke . Ryan . December 18, 2019 . 4-star QB CJ Stroud chooses Ohio State over Michigan, others . May 10, 2023 . mlive.com.
  15. Web site: Kaufman . Joey . December 18, 2019 . Ohio State lands top uncommitted quarterback C.J. Stroud . June 1, 2023 . Buckeye Xtra . en-US.
  16. Web site: Cooney . Frank . May 2, 2023 . 2023 NFL Draft: Friendly rivals Young, Stroud took different paths to top pick positions . October 2, 2023 . Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  17. Web site: Baird . Nathan . December 8, 2020 . Is C.J. Stroud Ohio State football's backup quarterback now? Ryan Day still non-committal . May 10, 2023 . cleveland.
  18. Web site: Naveau . Jim . March 31, 2020 . OSU EARLY ENROLLEES: C.J. Stroud part of battle for Buckeyes' QB of the future . June 1, 2023 . Sandusky Register.
  19. Web site: Russell . Mark . December 5, 2020 . WATCH: C.J. Stroud runs 48 yards for an Ohio State touchdown against Michigan State. . February 17, 2021 . Buckeyes Wire. USA Today . en-US.
  20. Web site: Hope . Dan . Gutridge . Matt . January 5, 2021 . Snap Counts: Matthew Jones, Marcus Williamson, Lathan Ransom Play Expanded Roles, 60 Total Buckeyes Play in Ohio State's 49–28 Win over Clemson . January 23, 2024 . Eleven Warriors . en.
  21. Web site: Dinich . Heather . August 21, 2021 . Ohio St. tabs Stroud to start opener vs. Gophers . September 14, 2021 . ESPN.com . en.
  22. Lind . Andrew . October 4, 2021 . Ohio State Quarterback C.J. Stroud Separated AC Joint In Season Opener At Minnesota . Sports Illustrated . en-US . December 1, 2021.
  23. Web site: January 14, 2020 . Ohio State Buckeyes Football Roster – CJ Stroud . December 1, 2021 . ohiostatebuckeyes.com.
  24. Web site: 2021 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results . June 1, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  25. Web site: January 1, 2022 . No. 7 Ohio State beats No. 10 Utah 48–45 in wild Rose Bowl . June 1, 2023 . NY1.com . en . Associated Press.
  26. Web site: 2021 Heisman Trophy Voting . June 1, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  27. Web site: August 17, 2022 . College football's top 100 players for 2022: Will Anderson Jr., Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and more . October 17, 2022 . ESPN.com . en.
  28. Web site: Zeglinski . Robert . August 20, 2022 . Heisman Trophy 2022: Top-15 preseason odds a week before college football's first kickoff . October 17, 2022 . For The Win . en-US.
  29. Lind . Andrew . October 9, 2022 . C.J. Stroud Shakes Off Pick-Six To Set Ohio State, Big Ten Record For Six-TD Games . Sports Illustrated . en . October 17, 2022.
  30. Web site: Trotter . Isaac . October 8, 2022 . Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud attracts national buzz after shredding Michigan State with six TD passes . October 17, 2022 . 247Sports . en-US.
  31. Web site: Michigan at Ohio State Box Score, November 26, 2022 . June 1, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  32. Lind . Andrew . December 4, 2022 . Ohio State To Face Georgia In College Football Playoff Semifinal At Peach Bowl . Sports Illustrated . en . June 1, 2023.
  33. Web site: Peach Bowl – Ohio State vs Georgia Box Score, December 31, 2022 . June 1, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  34. Web site: Sallee . Barrett . 2022-12-06 . Heisman Trophy finalists 2022: C.J. Stroud, Caleb Williams, Stetson Bennett, Max Duggan heading to New York . 2024-06-10 . CBSSports.com . en.
  35. Web site: 2022 Heisman Trophy Voting . June 1, 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  36. Web site: Rabinowitz . Bill . January 16, 2023 . Ohio State QB CJ Stroud makes it official: He's headed to the NFL . January 16, 2023 . The Columbus Dispatch.
  37. Web site: Owens . Jason . April 27, 2023 . NFL Draft: Texans select Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud with No. 2 pick . April 28, 2023 . Yahoo Sports.
  38. Web site: Rabinowitz . Bill . April 27, 2023 . Ohio State QB CJ Stroud taken second in NFL draft by Houston Texans . July 15, 2023 . The Columbus Dispatch . en-US.
  39. Web site: September 10, 2023 . Ravens beat Texans 25–9, but will be without running back J.K. Dobbins for the rest of the season . September 11, 2023 . ESPN.com . en . Associated Press.
  40. Web site: Bien-Aime . D. J. . September 18, 2023 . Loss overshadows rookie QB Stroud's historic day for Texans . September 18, 2023 . ESPN.
  41. Web site: Galatzan . Matt . September 24, 2023 . C.J. Stroud, Tank Dell and Houston Texans Dominate Jaguars . September 24, 2023 . Sports Illustrated.
  42. Web site: Postrado . Jay . September 24, 2023 . Texans’ CJ Stroud joins elite Justin Herbert-led list after picking up first NFL win . September 24, 2023 . ClutchPoints.
  43. Web site: Davis . Coty M. . September 28, 2023 . Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud Named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month . October 2, 2023 . Sports Illustrated.
  44. Web site: Texans' CJ Stroud breaks Dak Prescott record amid hot start to rookie season. ClutchPoints. Bologna. Ryan. October 8, 2023. October 9, 2023.
  45. News: . Barefield . Brian . Texans WR Nico Collins says C.J. Stroud did not allow interception to rattle him . October 16, 2023 . October 19, 2023.
  46. Web site: Texans 13–15 Panthers (Oct 29, 2023) Final Score . October 30, 2023. ESPN.com . en.
  47. News: Williams . Charean . Charean Williams . November 5, 2023 . C.J. Stroud sets rookie record with 470 yards in Texans' 39–37 comeback win, where he would win AFC Offensive Player of the Week. . November 5, 2023 . NBC Sports.
  48. Web site: Breech . John . November 6, 2023 . NFL Week 9 grades: C.J. Stroud leads Texans to an 'A-,' Bengals earn a 'B+' for beating Bills on Sunday night . November 6, 2023 . CBSSports.com . en.
  49. Web site: Bien-Aime . DJ . December 10, 2023 . Texans' C.J. Stroud in concussion protocol; Nico Collins exits early . January 22, 2024 . ESPN.com.
  50. Web site: December 31, 2023 . Texans' C.J. Stroud: Victorious in return . December 31, 2023 . CBS Sports.
  51. Web site: Dajani . Jordan . January 7, 2024 . Colts vs. Texans score: C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins lead Houston to playoff berth with win over Indianapolis . January 7, 2024 . CBS Sports.com.
  52. Web site: Koch . Josh . January 6, 2024 . Stroud for 4K: Texans rookie QB surpasses 4,000-yard passing mark . January 7, 2024 . HoustonTexans.com.
  53. Web site: Galatzan . Matt . January 8, 2024 . C.J. Stroud's Record Rookie Season Puts Him In The Elitist of Company . January 12, 2024 . SI.com.
  54. Web site: 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team . 2024-07-27 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  55. Web site: Patra . Kevin . January 13, 2024 . NFL playoffs: What We Learned from Texans' blowout win over Browns on Super Wild Card Weekend . January 14, 2024 . NFL.com.
  56. Web site: Gordon . Grant . January 20, 2024 . C.J. Stroud, Texans corralled by Ravens defense (again) in Divisional Round loss . January 21, 2024 . NFL.com.
  57. Web site: Podell . Garrett . January 13, 2024 . Texans' C.J. Stroud becomes youngest QB in NFL history to win a playoff game in record-setting performance . January 14, 2024 . CBS Sports.
  58. Web site: Rieken . Kristie . October 15, 2023 . Houston QB Stroud's record streak of attempts without an interception to start a career ends . January 23, 2024 . AP News . en.
  59. Web site: Gillepsie . John . November 5, 2023 . C.J. Stroud's Record-Setting Day Pushes Houston Texans Over Bucs in Final Seconds . November 6, 2023 . SI.com.
  60. Web site: Owens . Jason . November 6, 2023 . C.J. Stroud caps historic day with game-winning TD drive vs. Bucs . November 6, 2023 . Yahoo! Sports.
  61. Web site: January 14, 2020 . C.J. Stroud . April 27, 2023 . Ohio State Buckeyes Athletics.
  62. Web site: Doering . Joshua . April 25, 2023 . 'Man of God' C.J. Stroud leaning on his foundation of faith ahead of NFL draft . April 27, 2023 . Sports Spectrum.

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