C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans quarterback and 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year whose poise, accuracy and leadership took the Texans to the playoffs in his debut season.

Born in Rancho Cucamonga, California, Coleridge Bernard "C.J." Stroud IV developed his quarterbacking skills at Rancho Cucamonga High School, where he established himself as one of the nation's top prospects. Despite his talent, he received limited major college offers initially, eventually committing to Ohio State University in 2020. Stroud emerged as Ohio State's starting quarterback in 2021, immediately demonstrating exceptional accuracy and decision-making. During his two-year collegiate career, he threw for over 8,000 yards and 85 touchdowns while maintaining remarkable efficiency. He finished as runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in both 2021 and 2022, becoming the first player to finish second in consecutive years since the 1940s. His performances included leading the Buckeyes to two College Football Playoff appearances and consistently excelling against elite competition in the Big Ten Conference. The Houston Texans selected Stroud with the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. His rookie season established new benchmarks for first-year quarterbacks, as he threw for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions—posting the highest passer rating by a rookie with at least 400 attempts in NFL history. Stroud's immediate impact transformed the Texans from a three-win team in 2022 to AFC South champions in 2023, marking their first playoff appearance since 2019. He earned unanimous selection as AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game since Ben Roethlisberger. Stroud's emergence represents a pivotal moment for the Houston franchise and exemplifies modern quarterback development. His combination of collegiate success despite limited early recruitment, followed by record-setting professional debut, demonstrates both personal perseverance and the evolution of quarterback evaluation. His immediate success has established him as a cornerstone for the Texans' future and validated the organization's rebuilding strategy around elite quarterback play.

Pocket passer with strong arm accuracy and excellent decision-making under pressure

• Offensive Rookie of the Year 2023
• Pro Bowl 2x
• Houston Texans franchise QB
• NFL Playoffs 2023 (Divisional Round)
• NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 2023
• Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year 2022
• First-team All-Big Ten 2022
• AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 2023