Head Coach DeMeco Ryans Reveals Why Houston Texans Picked C.J. Stroud Despite S2 Score

Head coach DeMeco Ryans played a big part in quarterback C.J. Stroud being taken second overall. What helped separate Stroud from other quarterback prospects?

Through a half-season worth of games, the Houston Texans probably feel pretty good about their quarterback situation. They took quarterback C.J. Stroud second overall in April’s NFL Draft and haven’t looked back.

Stroud is in the midst of one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in league history, and he has all but cemented himself as the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Not only has he led the Texans to a 5-4 record and back-to-back miraculous victories. He’s producing like a legitimate franchise quarterback.

Stroud has thrown for 2,626 yards, 15 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He ranks seventh in expected points added per play and 17th in success rate, despite averaging 9.1 air yards per attempt. The rookie walked into an offense with a new coordinator, little in the form of known receiving products, and a makeshift offensive line and helped turn the franchise around.

Stroud attempts a pass during a win against the Cincinnati Bengals :: © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The most loved man in Houston didn’t always have the confidence of the fanbase.

During the draft cycle, the S2 Cognition test earned notoriety for its scores on top passing prospects. Out of 100 percent, the first-overall pick, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young scored a 98. Stroud’s leaked score was 18.

This development didn’t have a real impact on Stroud’s stock, but the perception of him—coming out of an Ohio State offense that isn’t an easy transition to NFL schemes—was temporarily tarnished.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans played an integral part in bringing Stroud in and taking him over now-rival quarterback Anthony Richardson. On Wednesday, he spoke about the confidence he had in the Stroud selection in spite of that rogue test score.

“With any evaluation of prospects, the thing is you don’t look at one thing and make a decision based off of one thing,” Ryans said. “For me, you look at the tape and you watch C.J.’s film, you talk about playing quarterback, he was one of the best quarterbacks coming out of his draft.”

Stroud has proven himself more than capable of handling the load of an NFL offense, even an incredibly detailed one from the Kyle Shanahan tree. He’s easily the best quarterback from his class and could very well take this team to the playoffs.

Ryans’ comments were indicative of sound decision-making processes. As he elaborated, he spoke to the traits that manifest themselves in franchise quarterbacks: elevating others, earning respect, and remaining poised enough to headline an organization.

“Based on the decision-making on film, speaking with him in person, getting to understand him, getting to know him better,” Ryans said. “Personality—seeing how he treats others, seeing how his teammates love him, seeing how they care for him, seeing how his coaches speak about him. You take all of those things into consideration.”

WATCH: C.J. Stroud Makes Wager With Tom Brady on Michigan vs. Ohio State

The public, in all likelihood, will never know Houston’s true pre-draft intent, but it’s easy to take Ryans at his word, especially given how Stroud has performed. Whether he was always the Texans’ top option or they ended up settling doesn’t matter. He’s here, and he’s playing lights-out football.

Let Stroud’s S2 story be a lesson in the media’s influence on the perception of prospects and the futility that comes with prioritizing new information over useful information.

Stroud will look to continue his rookie-season success on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.