As someone who follows the NFL Draft closely, I was surprised to hear that CJ Stroud had declared for it. There’s been a lot of speculation about whether he would but I was convinced he’d go the college route. It just so happens that he made the right decision for himself and declared, which in hindsight shouldn’t have surprised me because he’s been working hard. He’s living and breathing football and putting in the time so I’m sure he really wants to take that next step.
When CJ first started to get noticed on the junior college football scene, you could tell he had potential. He was a big talent; a big arm, a pocket presence and athleticism. He had it written all over him to be a superstar. It also became apparent that he had the drive to put his potential into action and get to where he dreamed of getting. He had the right people in his corner, and throughout that process, they weren’t afraid to rave about how special he can be.
Just watching CJ’s quick feet and fleetness shows you he’s a special talent. He has such great potential. His growth over the past year, the fact that he’s now in the NFL Draft, is proof he’s done everything he can to take control of his destiny and put himself in the best position to reach his goals.
I think there’s so much potential in having CJ Stroud play in the NFL. He has the skill set to thrive right away but the more important thing is that he is already surrounded by a team who recognizes and believes in his immense talent. He’s going to be backed by the likes of Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields and I’m sure those two great quarterbacks have a lot to offer him when it comes to understanding what it takes to be successful in the league.
One of the things I really like about CJ is that he knows that the work is not yet done. He’s already taking his preparation seriously and he’s building relationships to make sure he is well equipped. He has a great attitude and a desire to be the best he can. As an NFL hopeful, it’s definitely an important part of the process.
The press conferences have been very encouraging too. It’s obvious that CJ is ready to put in the work and he knows it’s his responsibility to get ahead. I’m sure the NFL teams that will be looking at him will factor in his commitment because he brings that to the table too.
Overall, I’m excited to see the NFL journey he’ll be undertaking. His decision was the right one and I know he’ll be a fantastic NCAA player, should he make it that far. With his talent and dedication, this could definitely be the beginning of a very successful career.