Latest news with #AireontaeErsery
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans lock up second-round OT Aireontae Ersery ahead of training camp
Aireontae Ersery is now signed, sealed and delivered as the newest signed member of the Houston Texans. According to KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, the Texans and their second-round offensive tackle have agreed to a four-year deal worth up $9.2 million. As of now, the full guarantees of the contract have yet to be released. With Ersery signed, the Texans have agreed to terms with all nine players of their rookie class ahead of Wednesday's start of training camp. As the second of two second-round picks, Ersery's arrival is significant since multiple second-round picks remain unsigned heading into training camp because of contract details. Earlier this offseason, the Texans made history by signing Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins to a four-year fully guaranteed deal worth $11.8 million, making him the first second-round pick in NFL history to have a fully guaranteed contract. Since then, it's delayed a majority of second-round picks from reaching deals for weeks. Drafted 48th overall out of Minnesota, Ersery is expected to compete with both Blake Fisher and Cam Robinson for starting reps at either left or right tackle. He had worked out on both sides of the trenches during OTAs and is expected to do the same through training camp until one player steps up to lock down one side of the offensive line. The third-team All-American in 2024 with the Golden Gophers, Ersery allowed only one sack and one quarterback hit last season. He played mostly left tackle in college, playing seven snaps at right tackle and three at guard over his three seasons in Minneapolis. 'The biggest thing with Ersery is getting acclimated to learning what it takes to be a pro," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said last month. "I see Ersery, he's steadily gotten better at the things off the field, of finding his routine, and also on the field, just seeing his footwork, his pad leverage, is getting better, it's improving.' While Ersery may or may not start in his rookie season, he's expected to be a long-term piece on the offensive line protecting Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Texans return to the Methodist Training Center for the start of training camp on Wednesday morning. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans ink OT Aireontae Ersery to rookie contract before training camp
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans lock up second-round OT Aireontae Ersery ahead of training camp
Aireontae Ersery is now signed, sealed and delivered as the newest signed member of the Houston Texans. According to KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson, the Texans and their second-round offensive tackle have agreed to a four-year deal worth up $9.2 million. As of now, the full guarantees of the contract have yet to be released. With Ersery signed, the Texans have agreed to terms with all nine players of their rookie class ahead of Wednesday's start of training camp. As the second of two second-round picks, Ersery's arrival is significant since multiple second-round picks remain unsigned heading into training camp because of contract details. Earlier this offseason, the Texans made history by signing Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins to a four-year fully guaranteed deal worth $11.8 million, making him the first second-round pick in NFL history to have a fully guaranteed contract. Since then, it's delayed a majority of second-round picks from reaching deals for weeks. Drafted 48th overall out of Minnesota, Ersery is expected to compete with both Blake Fisher and Cam Robinson for starting reps at either left or right tackle. He had worked out on both sides of the trenches during OTAs and is expected to do the same through training camp until one player steps up to lock down one side of the offensive line. The third-team All-American in 2024 with the Golden Gophers, Ersery allowed only one sack and one quarterback hit last season. He played mostly left tackle in college, playing seven snaps at right tackle and three at guard over his three seasons in Minneapolis. 'The biggest thing with Ersery is getting acclimated to learning what it takes to be a pro," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said last month. "I see Ersery, he's steadily gotten better at the things off the field, of finding his routine, and also on the field, just seeing his footwork, his pad leverage, is getting better, it's improving.' While Ersery may or may not start in his rookie season, he's expected to be a long-term piece on the offensive line protecting Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Texans return to the Methodist Training Center for the start of training camp on Wednesday morning.
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
79 days until the Texans' 2025 season opener: Who has worn No.79?
The Houston Texans are less than 100 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 won No. 79 since the inaugural season in 2002. Texans players to wear No. 79 No. 79 currently belongs to rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery. The Texans believe he can be the long-term replacement for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil following his trade to the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason. Ersery, who was drafted 48th overall, was considered the best offensive lineman prospect of Day 2. During his three years as the Golden Gophers' starting left tackle, the Kansas City native only allowed just five sacks and 11 QB hits in over 1,400 pass-blocking snaps in Big Ten games. Ersery was also named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2024 and a third-team AP All-American. "He's steadily gotten better at the things off the field, of finding his routine, and also on the field, just seeing his footwork, his pad leverage, is getting better, it's improving," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this month. "So, I can't wait to see him actually put pads on and have to block [Danielle] Hunter and [Will] Anderson, that's going to be a really good challenge for him." Since Ersery hasn't played a snap yet, it's hard to envision him as the No. 1 option ever to wear No. 79. That could change in the coming years, but there's really only one option who should be fighting over G.O.A.T. status entering fall camp. Best Player: Brandon Brooks Brooks is the only legit option since Allen ended up becoming a bust. While his best years came in Philadelphia, the three-time Pro Bowler was a part of two playoff-bound teams during his tenure in Houston. That's enough to make the list on a short-term.
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New Texans OT Aireontae Ersery vows to protect C.J. Stroud from here on out
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.
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans new OT Aireontae Ersery wants to be a 'team player' over franchise left tackle
Texans new OT Aireontae Ersery wants to be a 'team player' over franchise left tackle When the Houston Texans drafted Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery with the 48th overall pick, DeMeco Ryans made it clear he was brought in to compete for reps on the outside. That's where the three-year Golden Gophers star started during his college career en route to winning Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. But if asked to shift inside to guard, Ersey won't hesitate to test his luck at a new position if he can help Houston win now. 'I'm up for whatever they ask me to do,' he said. 'That's the type of guy I am. I'm just here to be a vessel and keep getting better each and every day. We're going to look up and see where the sun is at when that time comes.' It's an option, but for now seems unlikely. The Texans feel content about their interior offensive line after the arrival of Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram this offseason. Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs also have reps outside of their natural positions, so the two could start if they lose out at right tackle or center, respectively. But the tackle role remains a long-term question. Cam Robinson is in Houston for one season on a $12 million deal as Laremy Tunsil's immediate replacement. Meanwhile, second-round pick Blake Fisher struggled last season in pass protection, allowing six sacks over the last seven games, including three in the playoffs. Ryans would rather have his rookies be at their best to begin their careers, but at least Ersery is ready to step in if asked to play outside the blindside. Ersey also feels comfortable playing in Houston altogether, saying he "walked into the best situation" to continue his playing career. "We were a big culture school at Minnesota and the Texans is the same," Ersery said. "We talk about SWARM mentality, at Minnesota we talked about nekton mentality, always attacking and never full.' The Texans return to the practice fields next week for veteran minicamp.
