Former Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud 'One of the Best,' Teammate Claims

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins appeared on The Rich Eisen Show this week and offered insight into quarterback C.J. Stroud's impact in the NFL. Collins described the former Ohio State quarterback as a leader whose composure and work ethic are shaping Houston's culture.

Collins praised Stroud's consistency. "He's great. He's phenomenal. I feel like he's one of the best," Collins said. "He's calm, collected. Whenever it gets hard for him, he's still the same. Whenever it's great for him, he's still the same. I feel like for him, he's never changing." The steadiness of a young quarterback can be crucial for a franchise..

Collins also emphasized Stroud's drive to improve and leadership approach. "He always wants to get better," Collins said. "He's always looking, asking you questions, how you feeling, you know, so it's a great quarterback to have in your room. His mindset is phenomenal. He wants to lead." Stroud focuses on both executing plays and building relationships with teammates.

Collins also highlighted their off-field connection despite the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. He described it as "remarkable." Collins recalled a key moment from last season's must-win game against Indianapolis, when Stroud threw deep on the first play of a playoff-clinching victory. "Me and CJ, we were like, 'Let's go.' It's time to go out there and be us, just not making the moment bigger than what it is. It's football at the end of the day," Collins recalled. The trust they built in practice showed in that crucial moment.

Collins's praise is notable given his Michigan background. The college rivalry has taken a back seat in Houston's locker room. Collins said when Stroud first arrived, "it was kind of like, 'Man, you went to Ohio State,'" but those college ties are now secondary to their professional goals. Collins still ribs Stroud about the rivalry. "Whenever them guys play, I got to talk my noise, I got to hold it down for Michigan, always," he joked. But mutual respect dominates their daily work.

Collins described Stroud as a quarterback who actively invests in his teammates. "It's only right we go out there and have his back," Collins said. That loyalty runs both ways; Stroud's approach has earned him the respect that defines championship teams.