Texans' C.J. Stroud Makes Cognitive Test Irrelevant for Draft Prospects

After finishing the 2023 season as one of the best rookie quarterbacks in league history, Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud has made the S2 Cognitive Test irrelevant.

HOUSTON — In one season, Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud made the S2 cognition test irrelevant. Athletes First are encouraging its NFL Draft prospect to not participate in the test during the pre-draft evaluation, per Kalyn Kahler of The Athletic.

Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, Stroud scored an 18 out of 100 on the S2 test. After many questioned his ability to process the game on an NFL level, Stroud put together one of the greatest rookie seasons for a quarterback.

"After much internal discussion, the agents at Athletes First have directed our draft prospects to respectfully pass on participating in any cognitive or psychological testing during the pre-draft process (e.g. AIQ, S2, etc.),” the email read." — Kahler.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud / © Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

He led the Texans to a 10-7 regular season record, marking the most wins by the franchise since 2019.

Stroud finished his rookie season with 4,557 total passing yards, including the postseason, which is the second-most in NFL history by a rookie quarterback — trailing only Andrew Luck (4,662) in 2012. 

He also added 23 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 63.9 percent of his passes. On Oct. 8, Stroud began his career with a record-setting 192 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, the most ever by a player to begin a career.

On Jan. 13, Stroud became the youngest starting quarterback in league history to win a playoff game after the Texans eliminated the Cleveland Browns 45-14 during the Wild Card round. In the win, Stroud finished the game, going 16 of 21 for 274 yards and three touchdowns.

How Jerrod Johnson Instilled This Elite Trait In C.J. Stroud

Stroud fell short of becoming the first rookie quarterback to start in a Super Bowl. However, he finished his rookie season by taking home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors amid his first Pro Bowl selection.

The success Stroud experienced during his first season proves that no one can get a true evaluation of a prospect based on a senseless test.