tioo Sports
SPOTTED: C. J. Stroud sparks early link-up with LSU standout ahead of NFL Draft 2026


C. J. Stroud is gearing up for Year 4. The Houston Texans quarterback was spotted working out with former LSU wide receiver and 2026 NFL draft prospect Chris Hilton Jr.

Stroud has been busy in the offseason, fine-tuning his skills with his QB Coach, Adam Dedeaux (Train3DQB). Dedeaux is one of the most respected signal-caller coaches around, with numerous NFL quarterbacks, including reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, on his clientele.

Chris Hilton Jr. is preparing for this year’s draft by catching passes from the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Hilton spent his entire collegiate career with the LSU Tigers. He amassed a stat line of ten catches and 122 yards in his last season and is viewed as a seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent.

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

Stroud could be gauging his chemistry with Hilton just in case the Texans decide to take a chance on him. His pass-catching could add a unique dimension to DeMeco Ryans’ offense.

C. J. Stroud is aiming for a bounce-back season

C. J. Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons for a quarterback in recent history. The former Ohio State Buckeyes standout amassed a stat line of 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions, guiding the Texans to the playoffs and earning Pro Bowl honors.

Stroud had Texans fans dreaming due to his natural feel for the game and immediate impact. However, the Rancho Cucamonga, California-born signal caller endured a sophomore slump. Stroud’s stats dropped to 3,727 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in Year 2.

Stroud’s third season left a lot to be desired as the Texans had a tougher time securing a playoff berth. Their star quarterback’s 3,041 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions did not help matters. Stroud’s season ended with a four-interception performance in a divisional round game against the New England Patriots.

So, it’s not much of a surprise to see C. J. Stroud locking in ahead of Year 4. It’s a make-or-break campaign, especially with a contract extension being around the corner. The Ohio State product will be aiming to return to his 2023 form.