Sports Agency Directs NFL Draft Prospects to Skip Cognitive Tests After Stroud Rumors

One sports agency has directed its 2024 NFL draft clients to forego participating in cognitive testing during pre-draft evaluations this winter.

Athletes First sent an email to all NFL teams last month informing them that their clients will not be participating in cognitive testing, according to The Athletic's Kalyn Kahler.

The decision comes after Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, an Athletes First client, was reported to have scored the worst of any signal-caller on the S2 cognitive test last year.

"After much internal discussion, the agents at Athletes First have directed our draft prospects to respectfully pass on participating in any cognitive or psychological testing during the pre-draft process (e.g. AIQ, S2, etc.)," the email read, per Kahler.

Stroud reportedly scored an 18 out of 100 on the S2 test. He was eventually selected by the Texans No. 2 overall and went on to put together one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory.

The Ohio State product completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns against five interceptions in 15 games, in addition to rushing for 167 yards and three scores en route to being named the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Athletes First email continued:

"We understand that many of your teams use these tests or protocols as part of your prospect evaluation process, however our recent experience with these exams has been less than positive. Specifically, the fact that certain results and performance were leaked publicly last year demonstrates that there truly is no confidentiality with these tests. It is not right for a player's intelligence, aptitude or mental processing to be subject to public discussion and ridicule — no other job interview carries the same scrutiny."

"While our clients are happy to participate in the standard pre-draft physical activities and any football-based interviews or film review, we will not subject them to the wide variety of psychological tests."

Bryce Young, who was selected first overall in the 2023 draft by the Carolina Panthers, scored a 98 on the test while Anthony Richardson, who went fourth overall to the Indianapolis Colts, scored a 79.

Young struggled in his first season with the Panthers, though that may not be entirely his fault, and Richardson's year was cut short due to a shoulder injury that limited him to just four games.

The S2 test has been used by NFL teams since 2016 and it's "touted for its ability to measure a player's cognitive ability — specifically, quarterbacks," according to Kahler.

The test "doesn't measure an athlete's intelligence but instead their processing speed, reaction time and ability to digest information and respond under duress," Kahler added.

Athletes First does not represent any of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class, according to Kahler.

Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner, LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas and Oregon tackle Taliese Fuaga are among the 29 athletes the agency represents in this year's class.