Former Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud 'One of the Best,' Teammate Claims

Texans WR reveals why former Buckeye C.J. Stroud is already an elite NFL QB: "He's phenomenal" and "never changing."

Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud waves to fans during the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins appeared on The Rich Eisen Show this week and praised Ohio State legend C.J. Stroud as both a quarterback and a leader. Collins described the former Buckeye as a QB whose composure and work ethic are shaping Houston's present and future.

Collins particularly commended Stroud's consistency. "He's great. He's phenomenal. I feel like he's one of the best," the WR said. "He's calm, collected. Whenever it gets hard for him, he's still the same. Whenever it's great for him, he's still the same. I feel like for him, he's never changing." And it's Stroud's steadiness that Collins values most.

The Texans' top receiver also emphasized Stroud's drive to improve and his leadership style. "He always wants to get better," Collins said. "He's always looking, asking you questions, how you feeling, you know, so it's a great quarterback to have in your room. His mindset is phenomenal."

In response to a question by fellow alum Rich Eisen, the Michigan product relayed that any initial tension from the college rivalry with his quarterback quickly took a backseat in Houston's locker room. However, when Stroud first arrived, "It was kind of like, 'Aw, man, you went to Ohio State!'" Collins said. But their college connection quickly became secondary to their team's common goals.

Collins noted that although it's usually "real quiet" between receiver and quarterback when their respective teams play on Saturdays, it's not completely silent when the two schools face off against each other: "I got to talk my noise, you know? I got to hold it down for Michigan, always. Because you know them boys in blue are going to hold it down."

Stroud's No. 1 target discussed the immediate connection the duo developed on the field despite their Michigan-Ohio State ties. While describing that connection as "remarkable." Eisen asked Collins about a season-defining moment from Houston's must-win Week 18 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts during Stroud's first NFL season.

In perhaps the signature play of Stroud's rookie campaign, the Texans set the tone on their first offensive play of the playoff-clinching victory. Off of play-action, Stroud's deep pass travelled from Houston's 20-yard line to the Colts' 20—and into the hands of his favorite receiver, silencing a stunned Indianapolis crowd.

Collins explained that they recognized "that game was very important to the program, to the team. We wanted to go to the playoffs." Collins recalled. "Me and C.J., we were like, 'Let's go.' It's time to go out there and be us, just not making the moment bigger than what it is. It's football at the end of the day."

Still, "It was a great feeling," Collins acknowledged. "You know that play always lives in my head, rent-free, for sure."

The Pro Bowl receiver described C.J. Stroud as a quarterback "who wants to lead" and is invested in his teammates. "So, it's only right we go out there and have his back," Collins said.