Rookie QB, Justin Stroud wants to learn from the Vets

 

   Written by B. Keith Crear III | Photo credit Brian "Sarge" Barefield

Justin Stroud, the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is not making things too complicated as he enters his rookie season with the Houston Texans. Stroud is in a quarterback room with veterans Case Keenum and Davis Mills, and he is being coached by Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik and Quarterbacks Coach Jerrod Johnson.

Through the first two days of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Stroud has been on the field with his teammates, but he is keeping things very simple. 

"I'm really just trying to focus on ball," Stroud said. "Everything else, I'm trying to do my best to have people figure things out for me, and of course trust people on my team. For right now, for me really it's just football. I'm here all day, every day and just trying to get better"

Stroud has a lot to learn, but he is in a good position to succeed. He has two experienced quarterbacks to learn from, and he has a good coaching staff. If Stroud can stay patient and learn from his mistakes, he has the potential to be a star in the NFL. Stroud's viewed his early days working with Mills and Keenum as "a blessing", pointing to their combined NFL experience as something he's needed.

"That guidance and that confidence that they have, because they've both played in the League and been starters," Stroud said. "They've been very helpful. We have constant communication on and off the field. It's been really great."