Texans Rookie Captain QB C.J. Stroud Reacts: ‘Huge Honor!’

Despite him being a rookie, the Houston Texans named quarterback C.J. Stroud one of four captains for the 2023 season.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans announced the names of their captains for the 2023 season this week. As expected, Laremy Tunsil maintained his title, as safeties Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre joined him to help represent the Texans for the next 17 weeks.

Coach DeMeco Ryans left voting on captains up to the players. The only restriction: players could not select no more than four teammates.

And the criteria led to C.J. Stroud receiving the recognition in his first season.

"I think from Day One, I’ve been a vocal leader," Stroud said. "I think I’ve led by example, as well. I’m taking strides every day, just trying to fix problems when they’re there, trying to help the coaches while being a coach on the field. It was a huge honor and a blessing being able to be a rookie and be able to be a captain."

Becoming a team captain was one of several goals for Stroud. But similar to his job as the team's starting quarterback, the rookie prospect from Ohio State wanted to earn his captaincy.

Ryans agreed with his players' decision to make a rookie quarterback captain. He said Stroud, just 21, earned the respect of the locker room early.

Ryans himself served as a rookie captain for the Texans in 2006. He finished the season as the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 155 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in his first 16 games.

"Even though he’s a young guy, as I told our guys, ‘You can be a leader," Ryans said. “Leadership doesn’t just go to the oldest guy in the room. It’s about, ‘Who is the man that can get others around them to play better? And that’s what C.J. can do, that’s what he provides for our team."

During his final season at Ohio State, Stroud was a team captain. He led the Buckeyes to an 11-2 record in 2022. He is aiming to replicate that success now in Houston as a leader for the franchise and the community.