Former Buckeyes QB C.J. Stroud Named Texans Team Captain

Former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud has already been named the Houston Texans' Week 1 starter, but he earned an honor that was arguably more impressive Monday.

The Houston Texans voted for and named their four team captains Monday, and former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud was named one of them.

It's a rarity a rookie — even if he is the No. 2 overall NFL draft pick — but Stroud won over his teammates in preseason camp in the fourth months he has been with them. Stroud was a captain his third season at Ohio State and helped lead the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff appearance where he showed grit and determination, leaving everything he had on the field at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

"He came in to work since day 1," Texans running back Dameon Pierce told KPRC. "He did his job. He lived up to all the hype. Great kid off the field and even a better player on it. Great leader and I'm excited for him."

Much less surprising than being named a captain, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans tabbed Stroud as Houston's Week 1 starter against the Baltimore Ravens, beating out Davis Mills and Case Keenum.

"I'm still going to work like the way I'm working even more now," Stroud said after he learned he was the Texans' starter. "I'm blessed to be able to be a starter so, so young in his league, which isn't the easiest thing to do. But, I know my coaches have trust and faith in me, so I'm going to go out there and try to do my best."

Houston named safeties Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward and left tackle Laremy Tunsil as the team's other three captains.

Stroud will make his first career regular-season start against Baltimore Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.