CJ Stroud’s entire pre-draft process was clouded by a test score that might have been invalid. The 22-year-old quarterback is officially vindicated for an embarrassing assessment result that led everybody to think that he’s dumb.
Prior to being drafted No. 2 overall, there were questions surrounding Stroud’s NFL Draft stock because of an S2 cognitive test at the Combine. His poor score somehow leaked and quickly went viral.
The entire NFL world immediately freaked out. There was a lot of dialogue about the former Ohio State signal-caller’s intelligence. How could he go first overall if he is so mentally incompetent?!
Stroud, who is having a phenomenal rookie season for the Houston Texans, silenced all of the doubters with his on-field play. And, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, the initial test score was likely much ado about nothing.
CJ Stroud is liberated!
Stroud’s test was “flagged as potentially invalid and an unreliable result.” That apparently happens fairly often. Unfortunately, in this instance, the result was made public without context.
Approximately 1,000 NFL prospects take the S2 each year. Anywhere between 10-30 tests get flagged by the company who administers the assessment. They do so when a player is either distracted while taking the exam or exhausted by other various requirements throughout the pre-draft process.
S2 says that Stroud’s test score received the “unreliable” marking. It was not a valid result.
All of the hullabaloo made of his poor testing was founded on false pretenses. The score essentially should have been thrown out. Stroud’s awful score was not a true reflection of his intelligence.
None of the criticism directed at Stroud ultimately made a difference. He went second overall after Bryce Young. He led his team to a 10-win season and lit up the Browns in the Wild Card round.
Nevertheless, people continue to reference the test score. Not anymore!
It didn’t count! The leak was without context. Stroud’s test was “unreliable.”