After a brilliant performance against Georgia in the College Football Playoff and a superb showing at the Scouting Combine, C.J. Stroud was flying high and there were thoughts he would become the No. 1 or 2 selection in the NFL Draft.

However, as the draft drew closer, there were plenty of thoughts and rumors that Stroud's status was slipping and that he was no longer thought of among the top players in the draft. Instead of being the No. 1 or 2 selection, it seemed possible that he could drop out of the top 10.

Stroud's poor performance in the S2 Cognitive Test was one of the primary reasons for those reports. There were initial reports that Stroud had struggled in comparison with other quarterbacks, but Ohio State head coach Ryan Day came to his defense by pointing out that the test concerned eye reactions and button pushing — not intelligence.

Stroud had an emotional reaction at getting selected with the No. 2 pick by the Texans. He hugged a family member and was moved to tears after hearing NFL commissioner Roger Goodell call his name.

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An American football jersey that is black and has a large question mark in the middle of it. Next to it are the logo for the Houston Texans and several eyeball emojis.

Ben Strauss ·

Houston Texans running back Dare Ogumbowale standing next to the goal posts with a speech bubble “I can do it all!” with a logo for the Houston Texans.

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GM Nick Caserio in the middle, Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard, Michael Hall Jr around him, and Houston Texans wallpaper in the background

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The draft process has been something of a roller coaster for Stroud. He had a slow steady climb during the college football season before struggling in a loss to archrival Michigan. He was back on the upswing with his performance against Georgia and in the Combine before he appeared to be on his way down in the final weeks before the draft.

However, it was another recovery on Draft Night, as C.J. Stroud was selected second, right after the Carolina Panthers picked quarterback Bryce Young of Alabama.

Now the hard work begins as the potential starting quarterback for the Texans.