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CJ Stroud feels prepared for NFL debut: ‘That’s why I went to Ohio State’

Derek Peterson

By Derek Peterson

Published:

CJ Stroud threw his first NFL touchdown on Sunday in the Houston Texans’ preseason finale.

The former Ohio State quarterback completed two of his four pass attempts for 16 yards and the score before his night officially ended. Given the light workload he saw in the preseason, it appears likely the Texans will name the No. 2 overall pick their starting quarterback in the coming days.

Stroud says he feels ready.

“Everything that I learned from Ohio State is definitely paying off,” he said recently, per 10TV’s Adam King. “That’s why I went to Ohio State. One of the reasons why I went. And I’m blessed enough now to live out what I learned from Coach (Ryan) Day and everybody in Columbus.”

Stroud had a short and shaky preseason debut in Houston’s 20-9 win over the Patriots on Aug. 10. He completed two of his four passes for 13 yards and an interception. He got a bit more run in last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins, where he went 7-for-12 for 60 yards through the air.

The Texans are the last NFL team yet to name their starting quarterback for Week 1. Coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters earlier this week they’d learn starters once the team arrived in Baltimore for the opener against the Ravens. Stroud has been battling with last season’s Houston starter, Davis Mills.

Stroud saw just eight combined series in the three preseason games. But he seems ready for the real deal.

Houston opens the season in Baltimore on Sept. 10. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.

Derek Peterson

Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.