CJ Stroud

C.J. Stroud Felt “Disrespected” By Ohio State State QB Recruitment

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C.J. Stroud is the presumptive starter for the Houston Texans. The ailing AFC South team took Stroud second overall in the recent NFL Draft. Furthermore, Stroud has the most promise of success in a quarterback room that also includes, Davis Mills, Case Keenum, and E.J. Perry. Furthermore, the Texans are clearly in a win-now mode given their aggression on draft night.

However, there have been rumors that Stroud was a pick forced by Texans ownership. Many believe that several key members of the Texans coaching staff would have preferred to pick Kentucky’s Will Levis. But not being the first choice is something that Stroud has experienced before and motivates him to prove others wrong.

Stroud Found Ewers Recruitment “Disrespectful”

KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 27: CJ Stroud poses after being selected second overall pick by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

In 2021, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields left for the NFL. It was expected that Stroud, the redshirt freshman, would take the starting job. However, the Buckeyes also brought in the #1 recruit in the country, quarterback Quinn Ewers. That didn’t sit well with Stroud, who would go on to win the starting job. “I kind of felt disrespected. I didn’t like that,” Stroud told The Shop podcast. Furthermore, Stroud alleges that he didn’t know about Ewers’ recruitment until “the day he arrived”. The starting gig was considered a battle between Stroud and Ewers, with some Ohio State fans believing that, given his massive potential, Ewers should at least be given a shot.

However, Stroud eventually won the quarterback battle and would lead the Buckeyes’ offense for two seasons. Meanwhile, Ewers would transfer after the 2021 season, landing with the Texas Longhorns. Ewers could be a first-round draft pick in the 2024 draft and is considered the third or fourth-best prospect at the position. Regardless, all of this comes as Stroud is once again challenged despite his pedigree. “I think that’s up to him and how he plays and the coaches, how they see him,” CEO Cal McNair said. “He’ll earn his spot, wherever that is. And he’ll feel like he’s earned it, and the team will feel like he’s earned wherever he winds up.”

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Warren Moon Picks His Favorite 2023 QB Prospect

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Warren Moon is an underrated NFL legend. He went undrafted in 1978 after an unspectacular college career with the Washington Huskies. So Moon went to Canada, where he became a five-time champion and two-time MVP. That led to a move back to the US in 1984, joining the Houston Oilers. After nine seasons in Texas, Moon bounced between the Vikings, Seahawks, and Chiefs before retiring in 2000. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2006. However, he also holds the honor of being the only player to be elected to both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

So if there’s anyone who can evaluate quarterbacks, and especially look past the flashier stuff to see the true player, it’s Moon. He recently sat down with TMZ to discuss his pick for the top quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, which begins tonight.

Moon Backs Alabama’s Bryce Young

The battle for the number one pick has come to a pool of four players. Unless the Carolina Panthers are about the shock the NFL, they are going to take a quarterback. The frontrunners in that race are C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) and Bryce Young (Alabama). However, there is also the possibility that Carolina take Anthony Richardson (Florida). Richardson wowed at the NFL combine and has an incredibly high ceiling, but minimal (and fairly underwhelming) college experience. There is also Will Levis (Kentucky), who has lept into first-pick consideration thanks to an anonymous Reddit post earlier this week.

In Moon’s mind, there is a quarterback who stands out, although it’s not clear-cut. “For me, it’s Bryce Young,” Moon said, “C.J. Stroud is right there but I love Young and the way he plays. The only big negative on him is his size, that’s what everyone’s concerned about. But his instincts, his leadership ability, his playmaking ability, he’s the guy I’ve really enjoyed watching the last couple of years.” Moon continued. Young is also the consensus top pick among draft experts. Only a handful of expert mock drafts have the Panthers taking anyone else. The 2023 NFL Draft gets underway at 8pm EDT on April 27. Be sure to check HotNewHipHop for reactions and the biggest stories out of the draft.

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