Texans rookie will never forget how C.J. Stroud played against him in college
Texans rookie will never forget how C.J. Stroud played against him in college
Texans second-round pick Kamari Lassiter has been on the opposite end of a C.J. Stroud offense before. And he’ll never forget it.
Lassiter’s Georgia team played Stroud’s Ohio State squad in the 2022 Peach Bowl. While the Bulldogs won by the skin of their teeth in a 42-41 contest, Lassiter praised Stroud’s performance, even in defeat.
“CJ Stroud gave us hell in the Peach Bowl,” Lassiter, who was a sophomore at the time, said this past week. “I don’t remember too many passes hitting the ground. It was one of the few games that we didn’t have a true answer for the quarterback.”
Stroud completed 23 of 34 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the country at the time. Georgia had previously allowed just 291.1 passing yards per game before seeing Ohio State.
Throughout the season, Stroud shouldered the burden of key injuries for the Buckeyes, including star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back TreVeyon Henderson. In the crucial Georgia game, he lost not just one, but two of his top targets: tight end Cade Stover — now a teammate of Stroud’s in Houston — and star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr, who went No. 4 overall to the Arizona Cardinals.
Despite these setbacks, Stroud led a valiant charge against the defending national champions. Coach Ryan Day praised his poise and leadership, particularly in the second half.
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Texans find their cornerback in Lassiter
Lassiter wasn’t the first name some Texans fans expected to hear with their first draft pick in 2024. However, it appears to be a well-considered selection for both Lassiter and general manager Nick Caserio.
Lassiter, a two-time national champion defensive back, brings toughness and elite playmaking ability to the field. He’s an aggressive cornerback who embodies the “SWARM” mentality championed by head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Flexibility makes Lassiter a perfect fit
Having played primarily as an outside cornerback at Georgia, some might assume Lassiter will automatically slot into that role for the Texans. However, both he and Caserio have emphasized his flexibility, suggesting he could project well as a nickel corner.
While Lassiter’s 40-yard dash time wasn’t top-tier, his agility tests (3-cone drill & shuttle drill) were exceptional. Caserio emphasizes that 40-yard times are just one data point and don’t necessarily translate to on-field speed. Lassiter’s elite agility numbers suggest his quickness would be well-suited for the nickel back position.
Given the Texans’ 4-2-5 defense and frequent use of nickel packages, Lassiter appears to be a great fit for Ryans’ defensive scheme.