Texans Unveil Buckeyes QB C.J. Stroud's New Number
C.J. Stroud is leaving Columbus, but the number that made him a staple of Ohio State football is headed to Houston.
The Houston Texans announced that Stroud would wear No. 7 for his upcoming rookie season. Longtime kicker Kaʻimi Fairbairn released the number for Stroud to claim after being selected second overall in last month's draft.
Stroud, a two-time Heisman finalist and 2022 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, still must earn the starting job over both Davis Mills and veteran Case Keenum, but the expectation is that he'll develop into Houston's future franchise quarterback. The Texans were in need of a new long-term gunslinger after Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns prior to the start of the 2022 campaign.
“Throughout the entire [draft] process, you just continue to grow more and more in love with the guy,” Texans first-year coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday at the team's annual golf charity event. “It’s just who he is as an outstanding young man. Smart guy. Competitive guy. I’m excited to start to work with him.”
Stroud wore No. 7 at Ranco Cucamonga (Calif.) High School before committing to Ohio State. Once in Columbus, the 6-3 quarterback battled for starting reps with Justin Fields before taking over in 2021.
In two seasons, Stroud became one of the top passers in college football. He threw for 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while leading the Buckeyes to a 21-4 record. Stroud's best outing came in Ohio State's 41-40 loss to Georgia, as he threw for 338 yards and four TDs.
Stroud considers that performance his curtain call to college ball rather than his opening to the NFL.
"I feel like I've been consistent throughout my whole career, but I definitely think I opened up some eyes to some different types of things," Stroud told local Houston reporters at his introductory press conference. "Honestly, I want to show my athleticism some more at the next level."
It seemed evident that Stroud would eventually don the No. 7 in the NFL, and it's not uncommon for players to reach some form of agreement to switch numbers. During the draft, the Ohio State passer was seen wearing a diamond-encrusted No. 7 chain as he was introduced with the No. 2 pick. Both of his social media account user names read 'CJ7Stroud,' emphasizing the impact of the number.
The last three Ohio State quarterbacks have all worn their college numbers during their rookie seasons. Fields, who was drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Bears in 2021, was given No. 1 with the Windy City franchise. Dwayne Haskins, who was selected No. 15 by the Washington Commanders, wore No. 7 during his two seasons with the franchise.
Haskins, who was struck and killed by a vehicle last offseason, changed his number to No. 3 when picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Stroud, who considered Haskins a big brother figure during their time together, honored the late Buckeyes' star by wearing a Haskins' No. 7 jersey during the team's spring game last April.
With Stroud's number officially unveiled, four Buckeyes know what they'll wear in the pros. Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba confirmed that he would continue wearing No. 11 after the Seattle Seahawks drafted him with the 20th pick. Offensive tackle Paris Johnson didn't have much luck keeping No. 77 with the Arizona Cardinals, as the number has been retired in honor of Stan Mauldin, a tackle who died while playing for the then-Chicago Cardinals in 1948. Instead, he'll wear No. 70.
New Atlanta Falcons defensive end Zach Harrison will don the No. 96 after wearing No. 9 in college. Harrison is expected to compete for a starting job opposite former Pro Bowl linebacker Bud Dupree for the Falcons' front seven.
The Browns, which feature four former Buckeyes, have yet to announce jersey numbers for their rookies. Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler were selected on Day 3 in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively. Cleveland also signed Ronnie Hickman and Tanner McCalister as undrafted free agents.
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