Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud gives back to his former school Ohio State but how?
The Texans’ star has had a breakout season. Yet, perhaps what’s most interesting is the way he handles himself off the field of play, not on it.
Though the Texans and their man under center will likely still be thinking about what could have been, there’s no way to deny the fact that the team’s quarterback truly established himself as one to watch in the future. With that in mind, it’s refreshing to see that he hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
C.J. Stroud gives back to Ohio State
According to reports, former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is giving back to his alma mater. If you didn’t know, ‘The Foundation’ is a NIL collective associated with Ohio State athletics that was co-founded by ex-Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones. On Monday, the former Ohio State player announced that Stroud had joined the ranks of its Founders Club as a Platinum Donor. As per the Foundation’s website, Platinum Donors are those who have pledged between $50,000 and $100,000.
If you’re wondering what one gets for being a Platinum Donor, the package includes pre-game field passes for home games and a private tour of Ohio State’s athletic facilities, both of which are things that we have to imagine Stroud already enjoys. To that end, it’s no surprise that The Foundation made a point to acknowledge the Texans’ signal caller as the first former student-athlete to become a major donor. It goes without saying that his contribution will be most welcome, especially when considering the kind of moves that Ohio State has been making in the transfer portal. So far, the Buckeyes have received commitments from three players that rank No. 1 at their respective positions: quarterback Julian Sayin (Alabama), safety Caleb Downs (Alabama), and running back Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss). There are also several stars who will be back for another year of eligibility, including potential first-round cornerback, Denzel Burke, and star running back TreVeyon Henderson.
Who was C.J. Stroud for Ohio State
Something special to be honest. As a starter in the 2021-22 season, Stroud took over from former first-round pick Justin Fields, amassing an impressive 8,123 passing yards and 85 touchdowns. In 2022, he led the Buckeyes to the He College Football Playoff, and would go on to be selected by the Houston Texans with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft just a few months later. While the Texans are now out of the playoffs, it stands to reason that Stroud is one of the best bets to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, following a season in which he led the Texans to an AFC South division title and first playoff appearance since 2019, while registering 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions.