Coleridge Bernard “C.J.” Stroud IV is a American football quarterback for the Houston Texans in the National Football League (NFL). Stroud was born on October 03, 2001 to Kimberley Stroud and Coleridge Bernard Stroud III in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Growing up, his father pleaded guilty to kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery and received a 38-years-to-life sentence under the California three strikes law. Stroud attended Rancho Cucamonga High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. During his senior year, Stroud was the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin offensive player of the year after passing or 3,878 yards and 47 touchdowns. In 2019, he was the MVP of the Elite 11 and was selected to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl. He graduated from Rancho Cucamonga High School in 2020.
After graduating, Stroud attended Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where he played for the Ohio State Buckeyes Football Team. During his freshman year, Stroud would be the redshirt backup quarterback to Justin Fields. During the 2021 season, he became the Buckeyes starting quarterback still as a redshirt freshman following Fields’ departure declaring himself eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft. During that season, Stroud started in every game and won first-team All-Big Ten Honors. He was also named the Big Ten quarterback of the year; won Big Ten Freshman of the Week six times and was a finalist for both the Davey O’Brien Award and the Heisman Trophy. He also became the only quarterback in Ohio State history to throw five touchdowns against a Big Ten team four times in one season. Stroud led the team to a 10-2 regular season record. He also led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl victory against the Utah Utes football team. Stroud finished fourth in Heisman voting that season.
During 2022 season Stroud led the Buckeyes to the Peach Bowl where they lost to the University of Georgia Bulldogs. He was also named a finalist for the Heisman trophy behind winner Caleb Williams and Maxwell Duggan. Stroud entered the 2023 NFL Draft where he was selected second overall by the Houston Texans. During his rookie season in the NFL, Stroud joined Cam Newton and Justin Herbert as the only players in NFL history to put up at least 900 passing yards in their first three games. He would also lead the Texans to win the AFC South division title and a playoff appearance where they defeated the Cleveland (Ohio) Browns. Stroud and the Texans would go on to the Divisional Round where they were defeated by the Baltimore (Maryland) Ravens led by Lamar Jackson 30-14. Nonetheless Stroud was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and voted into the NFL Pro Bowl during that season. During the 2024 NFL Season, Stroud led the Texans to a second straight AFC South Division championship and a playoff berth where they defeated the Los Angeles (California) Chargers in the Wild Card round but was defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes II in the Divisional Round. Stroud is active in the NFL as of 2025.
