Penn State’s OL Juice Scruggs goes in second round to Houston Texans
The Houston Texans made some big moves at the start of the draft by selecting a franchise quarterback in Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and immediately boosting its defense with Alabama’s Will Anderson. On Friday, as the second round came to a close, the Texans made another move to add an offensive lineman to their roster that could be a foundational piece to protect its newly minted franchise quarterback, and that piece comes from Penn State.
Penn State center Juice Scruggs was drafted by the Texans with the 31st pick of the second round, and 62nd overall. Scruggs was a surprise pick this early in the draft by many. Heading into the draft, it was expected by many that Scruggs would be a day three pick, yet he snuck into the backend of the second round.
Scruggs was an all-Big Ten third team selection by Big Ten coaches and an honorable mention by Big Ten media after the 2022 season. He started all 13 games played by Penn State at center last season and was a team captain. There is no doubt the Texans are adding a respected offensive lineman to the roster with the addition of Scruggs, even if draft analysts projected him to be a later round selection.
Scruggs was the third Penn State player drafted in the second round. He joined cornerback Joey Porter Jr., the first pick of the second round of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and tight end Brenton Strange, who went one pick earlier to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Scruggs’ new division rival.
