New Texans OT Aireontae Ersery vows to protect C.J. Stroud from here on out
There's only one goal in mind for Houston Texans new offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery when he takes the field come Week 1.
It'll be the same goal he has for the next 10-plus years in Houston if he's lucky: Protect C.J. Stroud.
Everything else is just an added bonus.
"I take pride in protecting my quarterback," Ersery said Friday following Texans' rookie minicamp.
Ersery, the former Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and the No. 48 overall pick in last month's 2025 NFL draft, isn't blocking for any team next season. He's protecting one of the league's rising stars on a roster that's won 20 regular-season games in two years with a pair of division titles.
The Texans need stability at tackle now with five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil gone. Cam Robinson, a veteran from Jacksonville and Minnesota, is expected to start the season at left tackle, but his inconsistent play could make his tenure in Houston short-lived, especially if Ersey picks up the speed in Nick Caley's system before the end of training camp.
And for now, he plans on staying at tackle. While open to a position switch, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the plan is to leave Ersery on the outside rather than having him learn a new position. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound lineman played both guard and tackle in college, but was an All-Big Ten selection playing outside rather than in.
"He moves well for his size, big man, strong guy and he did a great job today in his drills," Ryans said.
While not a Day 1 pick, most draft analysts believe that Ersery was the top target on Day 2 for most teams. Now, he's in Houston as a potential building block for the new franchise.
While a mauler on the field, Ersery considers himself a "gentle giant" of sorts off it. Ersery fits the traditional Gentle Giant archetype in his first meeting with Houston media early Friday afternoon. It doesn't take much to set him off — mainly the sound of a whistle.
"It's a switch," Ersery said. "When we getting after it, we getting after it."
The Texans return to NRG Stadium for minicamp next weekend.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
46 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.46?
The Houston Texans are less than 50 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has worn No. 46 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 46 No. 46 currently belongs to undrafted free agent linebacker Jackson Woodard. During his time at Arkansas and UNLV, Woodard started over 30 games and recorded 116 tackles with nine being for a loss, two and a half sacks, four pass deflections, and an interception in 2023 with the Rebels. The following year, he'd be named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Since Woodard is an undrafted free agent and has yet to take a snap, he can't be the G.O.A.T. of No. 46. Frankly, there's only one answer and his number might eventually be displayed in the rafters as one of the greatest players in franchise history. Best Player: Jon Weeks Not only is Weeks the only player to wear the number in franchise history, he's also the longest-tenured Texan. After bouncing around the league for three seasons, the former Baylor product became the longtime option for the Texans on punts, PATs and more. After 14 years, the Texans chose to go in a different direction. It was a shocking move on both sides, but Weeks will close out his career playing for the San Francisco 49ers, hopefully helping the NFC West franchise claim a title. As for the Texans, general manager Nick Caserio hopes that Weeks will forever be remembered for his efforts during his tenure as the longest Texan. "Hopefully Jon's number will be in the rafters here when he retires from football," Caserio said on Wednesday. "Meant a lot to this organization. Made a significant impact in the community. "Hold him in the highest regard. He meant a lot to me personally in the time we were together. Wishing him and his family nothing but success. Always going to be a part of the Texans organization. I think that's a good example of only thing that's consistent in this league is change. "We wish him and his family well and embrace him with open arms when he comes back to the Texans."
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
47 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.47?
The Houston Texans are less than 50 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we're counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast. Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let's take a look at who has worn No. 47 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 47 No. 47 currently belongs to undrafted rookie free agent K.C. Ossai. Entering training camp, Ossai will begin the year of the PUP list, along with names like defensive lineman Denico Autry, wide receiver Tank Dell and running back Dameon Pierce. Since Ossai has yet to even take a snap in the preseason, let alone in training camp, he can't be the G.O.A.T. of No. 47. Much like No. 49, it's hard to say there's one player who has earned the title, especially since the options are few and far between. Best Player: Jarrod Baxter He was the first player to wear the No. 47 and given how few names are on the list, he deserves some respect. He also totaled seven times for 14 yards while catching five passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in 16 games during the 2002 season. That's enough to earn the nod.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Texans open camp with new offensive coordinator, revamped receiver group
HOUSTON (AP) — As quarterback C.J. Stroud returns to lead the Houston Texans for a third season, his offense has a much different look than it did a year ago. Top receiver Nico Collins and leading rusher Joe Mixon are back. But the Texans have a new offensive coordinator in Nick Caley after Bobby Slowik was fired and longtime left tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Commanders in the offseason. In other moves on offense, Houston traded for receiver Christian Kirk, signed receiver Justin Watson and drafted Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel before signing running back Nick Chubb last month. Chubb should get a lot of work early in camp with Mixon opening camp on the non-football injury list after missing minicamp with an ankle injury. 'Every year you're looking to add more and more to your team,' coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday as the Texans opened camp. 'I'm excited about the receivers that we've added. The young guys, Noel, Higgins, also with Kirk, Watson, all the guys we've added at those spots will definitely enhance our offense, giving us more options for where the football can go, and that will help our quarterback a lot.' The Texans needed depth at receiver after veterans Stefon Diggs and Robert Woods left in free agency and with Tank Dell out indefinitely recovering from a gruesome knee injury sustained in December. Even though it's early, Stroud has already been impressed by his rookie receivers. Higgins, who has been compared to Collins, had 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Cyclones and Noel added 80 catches for 1,194 yards and eight scores. 'They've came in with a great mindset,' Stroud said. 'They are really mature guys. Guys who love to work, consistently, here at the building or working with me in the offseason. So, I'm really excited to see those guys' growth and see them take a step forward each and every day. Not going to be perfect for them, but I think they're going to make a lot of plays.' While the Texans addressed their need at receiver, their most pressing issue is improving the offensive line after Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, which ranked second in the NFL. Though Tunsil was penalty-prone he was Houston's most consistent lineman and replacing him won't be easy. Second-round pick Aireontae Ersery could be Houston's left tackle of the future after starting 38 games at the position over three seasons at Minnesota. But veteran Cam Robinson will likely open the season at left tackle while Ersery adjusts to the NFL. Ryans knows everyone is concerned about the offensive line after Stroud was sacked eight times in a 23-14 loss to the Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs last season. 'I know I'm going to get a ton of questions about the offensive line and what it looks like,' Ryans said. 'You guys will see what it looks like when we line up across from another team and we get a chance to actually compete in live reps. Me talking to you is probably not going to convince anybody here … we'll see what it looks like, man. I'm excited about the group because I know they'll be better.' Stroud is also looking to take another step after leading the Texans to the postseason in each of his first two seasons. Stroud threw for 3,727 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 games last season after winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in his debut when he had 4,108 yards passing with 23 TD passes and just five interceptions in 15 games. He was asked what the biggest lesson he learned last year was that he believes will help him this season. 'Just trust the process,' he said. 'It's not about what people think, who people think you are, what they think you are or when they think you should do it. It's about your process and how you're going to go about it. If God is happy, your teammates are happy and yourself, then you're good.' ___ AP NFL:
