Houston Texans announce rookie numbers for Will Anderson Jr., Henry To’oTo’o
The Houston Texans are entering the first year of their rebuild under newly-hired head coach DeMeco Ryans. The rebuild will be no easy task for Ryans, as he takes over a messy franchise and a very poor roster. To make matters worse, the Texans would have had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft if not for former head coach Lovie Smith.
In the final game of the regular season, the Texans scored a touchdown with 50 seconds left in a meaningless game against the Colts to cut Indianapolis’ lead to 31-30. Rather than take the PAT and play for OT or lose the game intentionally to hold onto the top pick in the draft, Smith shocked the world and went for two, and got it. The Texans won 32-31, and the Chicago Bears earned the No. 1 overall pick due to the last-minute victory.
The Texans ended up with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft where they selected Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud. They then made the most surprising move of the draft by trading back up to No. 3 overall to land the top defensive prospect Will Anderson Jr. Credit where it is due, in his first draft, Ryans was able to land the QB of the future and the centerpiece of his defense.
Now, for a quick game of what if. If the Texans had lost that game to the Colts and held onto the No. 1 pick in the draft, would we have seen former Alabama stars Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr. team up again in Houston? Just food for thought.
The Texans had a very solid draft and filled a lot of holes on their roster. Both Anderson and LB Henry To’o To’o will be massive contributors on this Houston defense from day one. Ryans, also a former member of the Crimson Tide, already has the franchise heading in the right direction.
Ryans has high hopes for this 2023 rookie class, especially Anderson and To’o To’o. Today, the Texans released the rookie numbers of the players they just drafted. Anderson, who wore No. 31 in college, will wear No. 51 and Henry To’o To’o, who was No. 10, will now be rocking No. 39.
This is the moment you've all been waiting for. pic.twitter.com/iN5uDKtVmp
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 11, 2023
Roll Tide Wire will continue to monitory To’o To’o and Anderson in their NFL campaigns.
More Bama in NFL!
Only 12 players from the 2020 NFL draft had their 5th-year options picked up
More Bama in NFL!
Alabama leads the way with most former players currently on NFL rosters
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.
