C.J. Stroud had high praise for Marvin Harrison Jr. after learning the Houston Texans had acquired his former Ohio State teammate.
"I think he brings a dynamic playmaker, somebody who runs great routes, someone who can really catch any ball, and I'm just super excited to get with him," Stroud told reporters Oct. 13. "I loved him in college. He's probably the hardest worker I've ever been around in my life."
Harrison was traded by the Arizona Cardinals along with a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Texans in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed the team had acquired Harrison Jr. in his postgame press conference.
Stroud said the Texans front office consulted with him before acquiring
Harrison Jr.
"I had some conversations with some different people," Stroud said. "Telling them who he is as a person, as a player, what I like about him when I played. I thought our front office did a great job allowing me to be a part of it."
Trade rumors had circulated about Harrison Jr. due to his lack of production with the Cardinals, who selected him with the No. 4 pick in 2024. He caught his first touchdown of 2026 in a 36-24 loss to the New York Giants on Oct. 4. The 12-yard catch was his only reception on four targets.
This season, Harrison Jr. has five receptions and 85 yards on 13 targets through four games. He was inactive for the Cardinals' Week 5 game against the Detroit Lions due to ongoing trade discussions.
#Texans QB1 C.J. Stroud reacts to the trade for Marvin Harrison Jr. https://t.co/AazUSJ9Xvj pic.twitter.com/XDK9lN1Zbg
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 11, 2026
Stroud and Harrison Jr. started together during the 2022 college football season. That year, Stroud finished third in Heisman Trophy voting and led the Big Ten in passing yards (3,688) and touchdowns (41) while leading the FBS in passer rating (177.7). Harrison Jr. had 1,263 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns and was named an All-American.
The last game Harrison Jr. and Stroud played together was a College Football Playoff semifinal against Georgia on Dec. 31, 2022. In the 42-41 loss, Harrison Jr. caught five passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. Stroud threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns.
After Stroud was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Harrison Jr. finished as a Heisman finalist his junior season with 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Harrison Jr. likely slots into the Texans' offense as the No. 2 wide receiver option behind Nico Collins.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: CJ Stroud reveals role he played in Texans’ Marvin Harrison Jr. trade
