'That's My Guy': C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson Share Off-The-Field Friendship

The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts have started over at quarterback with C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson, respectively. Though the two will compete head-to-head for the first time in the NFL Sunday, they are friends away from the gridiron.

At the 2019 Elite 11 Finals at The Star — the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility — there were two young, budding high school prospects out of the 20 honorees that had no idea where their careers would go after college.

The two were C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson.

Now, Stroud — who was named the Elite 11 Finals MVP — will square off against Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, marking the first time since the premier high school quarterbacking camp that the two will have competed head-to-head. Both quarterbacks spoke very highly of each other and said they have maintained a relationship with each other since the Elite 11.

"That's my guy," Stroud said. "Became really good friends [at the Elite 11], and kind of kept a relationship when he was at Florida, when I was at Ohio State. I'm really, really happy for him. He's always been a hell of a player to me. Just really excited to see what he does in his career, and I'm always going to be supportive of him and be a brother and a friend to him. I'm excited to go play against him and compete again."

Richardson reciprocated his respect for Stroud when asked by reporters Wednesday.

"I love C.J.," Richardson said. "(We) talk a lot. Whenever I see him, I always tell him that he's the G.O.A.T. He's a baller. I'm looking forward to playing against him, playing against their team. He's a dog."

The Houston Texans selected Stroud two spots ahead of Richardson in the 2023 NFL Draft, as both signal-callers are now starting all over in a sense, trying to pave their way in the NFL after having top-notch college careers.

Both showed up-and-down moments in Week 1. Stroud certainly showed more poise in the pocket, while Richardson had the Texans' gunslinger beat in the scrambling department.

The Rancho Cucamonga, California, native completed 28-of-44 passes for 242 yards, and Richardson went 24-for-37 for 223 yards, one touchdown through the air, one score on the ground and an interception.

The two rookies will settle the score in their first-ever head-to-head matchup in the NFL on Sunday at NRG Stadium at noon. The game will be broadcast on FOX.