C.J. Stroud's S2 Cognition test results are redefining pre-draft process for top 2024 NFL Draft prospects
In case you missed it, C.J. Stroud reportedly underperformed on the S2 Cognition test last spring and his first round of test results were subsequently leaked to the whole world. That of course led to months of negative discourse surrounding Stroud, who now famously has gone on to be named Offensive Rookie of the Year. […]
In case you missed it, C.J. Stroud reportedly underperformed on the S2 Cognition test last spring and his first round of test results were subsequently leaked to the whole world. That of course led to months of negative discourse surrounding Stroud, who now famously has gone on to be named Offensive Rookie of the Year.
In what can only be described as an absolutely shameful mess of terrible journalistic practice, the nationwide media ran wild with the story of Stroud "testing poorly" without any regard for the accuracy of his leaked S2 Cognition test results, let alone how to properly apply that information to Stroud's draft assessment.
It later came to light that the initial testing environment for Stroud yielded his first test results "potentially invalid" but the damage was already done. Millions of fans, media members, and even staff of NFL teams had been manipulated, whether intentionally or unintentionally, to misunderstand Stroud's S2 Cognition test results.
[If you're unfamiliar with the S2 Cognition Test, it has become the ultimate standard for both baseball and football cognitive testing. You can learn more about how it works here.]
In response to last year's media fiasco, the agency that represented C.J. Stroud in 2023 (Athletes First) has announced, according to The Athletic, that they are "directing [their] NFL Draft prospects not to participate in any cognitive testing in the pre-draft evaluation process" this spring.
This is a huge deal. Athletes First has been the leading NFL Draft Agency representing the most first round picks four years in a row. Just last year eight players selected in round one of the NFL Draft (25% of the first round) were Athletes First players.
Although Athletes First never mentioned C.J. Stroud in the announcement of the directive to their NFL prospects, it's clear that last year's debacle is the reason players are being instructed not to participate in cognitive testing.
Athletes First reportedly represents nearly 30 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class, at least a half dozen of which are currently projected to be selected inside or near round one this spring. Some of their top prospects represented (via The Athletic):
- Dallas Turner, EDGE Alabama
- Taliese Fuaga, OT Oregon State
- Brian Thomas Jr., WR LSU
- Cooper DeJean, CB Iowa
- Jackson Powers-Johnson, C Oregon
- Tyler Guyton, OT Oklahoma
It's unclear what effect this will have on industry-wide perception and participation in tests like S2 Cognition, but this step by Athletes First may redefine what has become the norm in pre-draft process testing.
