'A Lot of Zip': Texans QB Case Keenum Impressed With C.J. Stroud

Former Ohio State Buckeyes and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has yet to sign his rookie contract.

Author:
Casey Smith
Jun 5, 2023 10:32 AM EDT

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As C.J. Stroud has had the adjustment period to his NFL career, there has been a lot of pomp and circumstance.

First, he got his flowers as the highest Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback ever selected in the NFL Draft. He then was a participant in the NFL Players Association's Rookie Premiere photoshoot.

However, now that is over. Rookie minicamps have come and gone and now, as organized team activities and mandatory minicamps begin, it is time for Stroud to go show the Houston Texans why they took a flier on him with the No. 2 overall selection.

And he has turned heads in the early going.

"He's been here what? Three weeks maybe?" Texans quarterback and 11-year NFL veteran Case Keenum said. "I would never know that. I would thought he had been here a year, been in the league, been a four-, five-year vet."

Stroud is in the middle of a quarterback competition in Houston between himself, Keenum and Davis Mills, who started the past two seasons with the Texans.

In 28 games over the course of the 2021-22 seasons, Mills has a 5-19-1 record as a starter, completing 63.6 percent of his passes for 5,782 yards, 33 touchdowns and 25 interceptions, including a league-leading 15 last year.

Keenum said Mills can "sling it" and he has been impressed with his "relatability" and leadership with each player on the Texans.

Stroud is second in Ohio State history with 8,123 passing yards and 85 touchdowns, leading the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl victory in 2021 and a near-national championship appearance last season.

Keenum has been impressed with Stroud's ability to step in and call plays in addition to being "extremely accurate."

"He's no-huddle in college. To come in and run a pro-style offense that's wordy. Like, it's not just like 'all go.' There's a lot more than that," Keenum said. "A lot of zip on the ball and great feet. Under center stuff, he's not afraid to try new things and has jumped right in and has not missed a beat."