Parker McCollum excited to see C.J. Stroud, Texans progress in Year 2

It’s been a hell of a year for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and country music star Parker McCollum.

Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, put together one of the best rookie seasons in league history after guiding the Texans back to the postseason for the first time in four years.

McCollum, a native of Conroe just outside Houston, lived up to the billing as one of the biggest rising stars in music with his hit single “Burn It Down.’

During a recent interview on the Pat McAfee Show, McCollum poked fun at the Indianapolis Colts and its former punter’s love for the Midwest franchise while also discussing his excitement for the upcoming football season.

After struggling for nearly two decades, McCollum believes Houston’s time has finally arrived under Stroud.

“It’s special, dude, I get emotional talking about it,” McCollum said. “I’ve loved that football team for so long and we’re real good now…we’re about to talk some s–t. That’s two-thirds of my life, and we didn’t have one when I was a kid. Then, for 20 years, we were alright at times, but now we’re special.”

The specialty comes from the new foundation. Former Pro Bowl linebacker and 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year DeMeco Ryans returned to Houston for the first time in over a decade as head coach. It also invested in quarterback by selecting Stroud, a two-time Heisman finalist at Ohio State, and defensive end Will Anderson Jr., a two-time Bronko Nagurski winner at Alabama.

In McCollum’s eyes, everything starts with the coach.

“He’s the secret sauce, dude. Getting him and C.J. at the same time, that’s a God thing,” McCollum said.

Stroud, who last season became the fifth rookie in league history to throw 4,000-plus yards in his first year, is human despite having superhero-esque football powers. A well-known Los Angeles Lakers fan, he gets frustrated and passionate when the roster underwhelms and loses.

That’s the adoration McCollum loves to see and fans can appreciate

“He was like: ‘When I watch the (Los Angeles) Lakers lose, I’m upset,’ and he’s a professional athlete saying that,” McCollum said. “Fans feel that. Like, man, he wants to win, he knows how we’re feeling since we’ve been down for a long time. When your quarterback is possibly the greatest rookie of all time… that’s great, that’s good for the culture.”

McAfee, a known Colts supporter, wasn’t letting McCollum off the hook that easy and made to preface that the Texans only won the division because fellow first-rounder Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury after four games.

McCollum jabbed right back, citing the addition of a four-time Pro Bowler at receiver to turn Stroud’s dynamic duo into a trio.

“I’m glad C.J. and Stefon Diggs are on the field throwing balls, we’ve got our priorities right,” McCollum said.