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.
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