Report: CJ Stroud's low S2 cognitive score was flagged as 'unreliable' and 'potentially invalid'

One of the major pre-draft controversies surrounding former Ohio State star CJ Stroud may have been much ado about nothing, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.

Stroud, who was one of the top quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft, saw his draft stock questioned based on the results of an S2 cognitive test at the NFL Combine.

Only it turns out that his poor score, which was leaked and quickly reported on, might have been invalid in the first place. The WSJ reports that the pair of cognitive neuroscientists who founded the company that produces the S2 cognitive test said Stroud’s score “was flagged as potentially invalid and an unreliable result.”

Moreover, that’s not an uncommon outcome with the S2 cognitive test, for a variety of reasons.

Writes the WSJ:

“Out of the nearly 1,000 NFL prospects that take the S2 every year, a dozen or two get flagged by the company for producing an unreliable result. That could be because the player was clearly distracted while taking the exam or tired from the various demands placed on players during the pre-draft process. Stroud’s score was one to receive such a marking, S2 says.”

Had it not been for the leak of the score, there likely wouldn’t have been as much hullabaloo surrounding CJ Stroud going into the draft. The founders of the company, though, noted the result should have never been reported on due to questions about its validity.

As things played out it didn’t seem to matter a whole lot. Alabama‘s Bryce Young went No. 1 overall and Stroud quickly followed at No. 2 overall to the Houston Texans.

And so far it’s been a match made in heaven, cognitive test aside.

Stroud had a remarkable rookie season, emerging into exactly the kind of quarterback many thought he could be out of Ohio State. He was an elite passer, throwing for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He also ran for three scores.

The rookie quarterback has also led his team to the playoffs, where the Texans dispatched the Cleveland Browns on wild card weekend.

Now CJ Stroud and the Texans will take on the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens for the right to reach the AFC Championship Game.