Texans HC DeMeco Ryans speaks on C.J. Stroud's performance in NFL Debut

The Houston Texans pegged former Ohio State star C.J. Stroud to be their quarterback of the future in the 2023 NFL Draft. They decided to select him No. 2 overall. On Thursday night, Texans fans got their first glimpse of Stroud in an NFL uniform, as they took on the New England Patriots. It was a rough outing for the former Buckeye–he threw an interception to Jalen Mills on his first offensive possession of the game. Stroud completed two of his four pass attempts for 13 yards, while throwing one interception and getting sacked once. Following the game, Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans talked about his franchise quarterback’s debut.

“I thought it was good for C.J. to get some live reps,” Ryans said. “I thought he moved around well. With the interception, I think (Jalen) Mills made a really nice play, veteran player. We probably were a little bit late there with the ball, and it was a learning lesson, and that’s why we do preseason.”

“He was fine,” Ryans continued. “I think it’s good to have some ups and downs. That’s what this league is all about. It’s all about how you respond to the things that happen to you, and I thought his response to it was fine.”

As good as he was in college, it’ll be a bit of an adjustment period for Stroud in the NFL, like nearly all quarterbacks. He’ll also have to hope the Texans’ offensive line blocks better than they did on Thursday night, because if they don’t, it’s going to be a long year.

Stroud adjusting to new leadership role in the NFL

For more on Stroud’s college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes, check out the article written by On3 Staff Reports.

Taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud has been doing what he can to quickly blend in with his new team, the Houston Texans.

He likened the process to growing up, taking the next step in a series of phases in life. Ohio State was the last phase, Houston is the next.

“I think I was a boy then, trying to be a young man,” Stroud said of his time with the Buckeyes. “And now I am a young man trying to be a man’s man. I think I’ve stepped in here and I think I’ve gained respect of the team just being myself.”

Stroud was lights out the last two years at Ohio State, totaling 8,123 yards passing with 85 touchdowns and just 12 total interceptions. Stroud wasn’t quite as much of a rushing threat as many of his peers in the 2023 draft class, logging only 108 yards rushing during the 2022 campaign.

Still, he’s got all the tools to be an elite quarterback in the NFL. Certainly that’s what the Texans were counting on when they drafted him.

So how has Stroud gone about integrating with the team?

“I haven’t tried anything extra, done anything,” he said. “There’s some similarities at Ohio State and some with the Texans now, but honestly I think ultimately I’m just being myself and I think everybody’s gravitated toward that. “

A third-team All-American in 2021 and a second-team All-American in 2022, Stroud didn’t get quite the hype and recognition as some of the other quarterbacks in his draft class.

He was, however, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021 and 2022. He guided Ohio State to a playoff berth in his junior season, as well.

But what the former Ohio State standout is focused on isn’t the accolades or the stats or even where he ranks against the quarterbacks he came out with. Instead, quarterback CJ Stroud is simply focused on fitting in and meshing with the team so he’s ready to roll when his number is called.

“I think even more important than how I play on the field is being a leader, building that winning culture that we want here, swarming around and doing things that coach (DeMeco) Ryans wants us to do and coach (Bobby) Slowik on offense,” Stroud said.

On3 Staff Reports also contributed to this article.