'Best in The Country!': Texans Rookie Juice Scruggs 'Excited to Work With' QB C.J. Stroud

Juice Scruggs is already familiar with C.J. Stroud's talent, but the center from Penn State is using rookie mini-camp to get acquainted with the Houston Texans' new quarterback.

HOUSTON — Will Anderson Jr. may have been the most prominent prospect, but the EDGE rusher from Alabama was not the only player the Houston Texans traded for during the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Texans traded up on three occasions to make their draft selections. And after acquiring the No. 62 pick from the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston drafted center Juice Scruggs from Penn State.

Scruggs is thrilled to be joining the Texans. The organization gave him a chance to accomplish a lifelong dream. But Scruggs is most enthused by starting his career alongside quarterback C.J. Stroud.

He has always had an appreciation for Stroud since high school, and the two respective parties have used rookie mini-camp to build a relationship. 

"I am excited to work with him and just get to go know him," Scruggs said. "Just trying to build the relationship and get the chemistry going. What I thought about him in college, I thought he was the best quarterback in the country for sure."

Scruggs isn't unfamiliar with Stroud's on-field talents. When reminiscing on the "crazy battles" Penn State and Ohio State had during their college careers, he described becoming teammates with Stroud as cool.

Scruggs was in attendance when his Nittany Lions fell 44-31 to the Buckeyes in October. Stroud had one of his most impressive games after throwing for 354 yards while completing 78.8 percent of his passes.

But when it comes to first impressions as teammates, Scruggs described Stroud as a humble player who is passionate about the game. 

"We don't really talk about football," Scruggs said. "Just trying to talk to him, pick his brain a little bit. When we start talking football you just see why he was second. You see why he was picked so high, because his knowledge is crazy."

Scruggs said he was a nervous wreck during the draft process, and he understands the significance of having a franchise trade up for his services.

He finished his collegiate season with a pass protection grade of 73.6 after giving up one sack during the 2022 campaign. 

Scruggs is looking forward to sustaining his talents on an NFL level to help protect Stroud, which would be a long-term investment in the Texans' compensation for the rookie center.

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