Number two overall pick CJ Stroud has told Houston Texans fans he has "that dog" in him as he vies to lead the franchise out of the doldrums.
The former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback says he has a "chip on his shoulder" from his experiences in high school and college as he had to overcome many challenges to get his shot under center, and it has made him the "leader" he needs to breath fresh life into the franchise. The 21-year-old enjoyed a stellar college career, winning the Rose Bowl in his first season as a starter before delivering a sensational performance in defeat as the Buckeyes lost 42-41 to national champions in the College Football Playoff semi-final.
Stroud's stats from his time at Ohio State are stellar, racking up 85 touchdown passes in 25 starts, but it was not all plain sailing with the programme. Speaking on The Shop, he recalled feeling "disrespected" when Ohio State signed high-school sensation Quinn Ewers just as Stroud inherited the starting job from now-Chicago Bears signal caller Justin Fields.
Ewers would not last long in Ohio, with Stroud's dazzling play cementing his place as the starter and he transferred to Texas at the end of the 2021 season. Stroud says the experience has conditioned him for the "cutthroat" NFL as he takes over a Texans team that has won just 11 games over the past three seasons.
"I knew Ohio State wasn't going to be easy," he said. "Justin was the starter and I was the backup and the next year, they brought somebody else in, Quinn Ewers the Texas quarterback who was the number one player ever ranked in high school.
"They brought him in a week into fall camp, which is training camp for us, and I felt a bit disrespected. I didn't like that.
"Everything I've got in my life has been earned, never given, and I pride myself on that. I think that's why I kind of have a chip on my shoulder a bit and I've got that dog in me just because I know I've been counted out multiple times.
"They brought in a guy two weeks before our first game when I thought I was the guy and that just shows you it's a business every day. Now, I'm doing it for myself knowing the business I'm in is cutthroat."
Stroud was the second quarterback off he board in Kansas City last month, with Bryce Young going number one overall to the Carolina Panthers. As the second overall pick in the draft last month, Stroud faces immediate pressure to improve the franchise's fortunes. He insists he is up for the challenge of leading the team from day one.
"It's in me, not on me," he said. "People are like 'Are you surprised or shocked or are you nervous?' I'm not nervous for anything, I feel like I'm walking in my purpose from God and, of course, there is going to be a transition and something to learn from, but I'm going with complete confidence in myself and I know what God put into me.
"The beauty of the NFL and being a quarterback is that's like being a leader and a coach on the field, and I think I am a natural-born leader. You ask my friends, I don't play around, I'm very disciplined, I don't need anybody to get me up and I don't need anybody to convince me to work out. I'm going to go on my own and do what I've got to do.
"I think that mindset and tenacity is going to gravitate people towards me (in the locker room)."
