Noah Brown thinks C.J. Stroud has what it takes to surpass Dak Prescott

Houston Texans receiver Noah Brown believes C.J. Stroud has the potential to surpass Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Brown, who spent the last five seasons catching passes from Prescott before signing with Houston this offseason, didn’t mean any shade towards his former quarterback, but is obviously very high on the No. 2 pick from April’s NFL Draft.

“They’re both great quarterbacks — great arm talent,” Brown said, via Coty M. Davis of Sports Illustrated. “That’s a great class to be in. I think he has all the potential to live up to that, maybe even surpass it. So, you know, I’m rooting for C.J. and I’m willing to have his back on anything.” 

Though Brown, a fellow Ohio State alum, missed out on Stroud’s tenure in Columbus, he saw enough to know the future is bright for the 21-year-old.

“I know C.J. has great arm talent,” Brown said. “The little bit of time I’ve been here working with him, he’s picked up the offense fast, taken ownership of his reps. I think that can only lead to positive things.”

Stroud was impressive in two seasons at Ohio State. In 25 games, he threw for 8,123 yards with 85 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 69.3% passing. He added 80 carries for 136 yards and a score on the ground. Stroud led the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl in 2021 and Peach Bowl in 2022.

Texans impressed by C.J. Stroud during offseason program

By all accounts, Stroud looked the part during the Texans’ offseason program. First-year head coach DeMeco Ryans has particularly been impressed with how Stroud has progressed taking snaps under center — something he did just 6% of the time at Ohio State, via The Comeback.

“It’s a matter of just getting reps. Nothing magical about it. It’s just getting under center and doing it. C.J. had reps under center in college. It’s not foreign to him,” Ryans said this past week. “He’s done it before. He’s done a good job these past few days in practice of understanding, and we haven’t had any issues with that. C.J. is doing a great job.”

As for Stroud, the two-time Heisman Trophy finalist, being a rookie quarterback means earning the trust of those in the locker room. Thus far, his teammates have accepted him, though he had to earn it.

“This team has been very accepting of me, very honest, and very transparent. What I love about it, man, nothing has been given to me,” Stroud said. “I have to earn everything, which I love. It’s been like that my whole career.”