C.J. Stroud on S2 Test Drama: ’I’m Not a Test Taker, I Play Football’

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud made it very clear that he is not worried about the recent S2 Cognition Test scores ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.

The S2 Cognition Test is a relatively new test, mostly designed to measure the competence in decision-making of NFL prospects. Last week, NFL reporter Bob McGinn released a report of the supposed S2 scores for the consensus top-five signal-callers in this year’s draft class that included Alabama’s Bryce Young scoring a 98, Kentucky’s Will Levis earning a 96, Florida’s Anthony Richardson receiving a 79, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker scoring a 46 and Stroud earning an 18.

When asked about the apparent results of the S2 on Wednesday, Stroud told Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer that he “plays football” and is “not a test taker.”

“At the end of the day, I don’t got nothing to prove to nobody,” Stroud said. “I’m not about to sit here and explain to somebody how I process football. The people who are making the picks know what I can do. That’s all that matters to me.

“There’s whole a lot of people who know how to coach better, know how to quarterback better and know how to do everything on social media. But the man in the arena, that’s what’s tough. ... I’m going to stand on that. … If I am not the smartest quarterback in this draft, I know I am one of the smartest quarterbacks in the NFL when I step in there tomorrow. I don’t think you can play at Ohio State and not be smart. ... If you don’t trust and believe in me, all I can tell you is watch this.”

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Brandon Ally, a cofounder of the test, stated Monday on The Pat McAfee Show that the leaked S2 scores for the quarterbacks in this year’s draft class weren’t entirely accurate and did not hold the proper context. Earlier in the year, he said to take any leaked score with “a grain of salt.”

Young has been projected to go No. 1 in the first round of the draft on Thursday while Stroud is considered by many to be the second-best signal caller in this class. However, in recent days, rumors have surfaced that Levis or Richardson could potentially move up and be selected before Stroud in the opening round.

Whether Stroud goes No. 1, No. 2 or with any other pick in the first round, he’s made clear that he's solely focused on playing football and winning games.