DeMeco Ryans’ advice to Texans’ rookie class: 'Kick back and have fun’

HOUSTON – As the Texans take the practice field Friday and Saturday, their rookie minicamp represents both the future and the immediate present.

Some of the Texans’ draft class are slated to compete for immediate playing time, including second-round cornerback Kamari Lassiter and fourth-round tight end Cade Stover. Second-round offensive tackle Blake Fisher is a valuable insurance policy who could step in at left tackle or right tackle if Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard miss time with injuries.

From the Texans’ standpoint, it’s a fun time to see their investment of resources and draft capital in person on the field.

“We’re excited to see them on the field,” Texans principal owner Cal McNair said. “See how they get coached up and play. It’s an exciting time for us personally to see the team, and I’m sure the fans will be excited to see them as we progress.”

It’s primarily an orientation time for the rookies, learning the playbook, signing their contracts, getting to know their new teammates and how the Texans do things.

“My first message to our young guys is just, ‘Take a deep breath, relax kick back and have fun,’” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “These guys have been playing football for a long time. I try to make sure that they understand that the game has not changed just because you are stepping up to the next level.

“Just continue to do what got you here. That’s being a hard worker. Being dedicated to your craft. That will take you pretty far in this league.”

The rookie class includes Lassiter, a former Georgia standout, Fisher, a 6-foot-6, 310-pound 27-game starter for Notre Dame, ball-hawking third-round safety Calen Bullock, who intercepted nine passes at USC, Stover, a former teammate of C.J. Stroud’s at Ohio State who caught 10 career touchdowns for the Buckeyes, speedy sixth-round linebacker Jamal Hill, who’s run the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds and also played safety at Oregon, elusive sixth-round running back Jawhar Jordan, who rushed for 17 touchdowns his final two seasons at Louisville, seventh-round defensive end Solomon Byrd, who had 10 sacks, 18 for losses and five forced fumbles in two seasons at USC, seventh-round defensive tackle Marcus Harris, an All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection who had seven sacks last season for Auburn, and seventh-round pick LaDarius Henderson, an offensive lineman who won a national championship at Michigan.

The Texans’ undrafted class includes South Dakota State wide receivers and twin brothers Jaxon Janke and Jadon Janke.

Jaxon Janke (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) caught 51 passes for 818 yards and five touchdowns last season, finishing his career with 244 catches for 3,677 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Jadon Janke (6-2, 205 pounds) caught 57 passes for 946 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, finishing with 170 career receptions for 2,800 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The Texans signed Virginia Tech defensive tackle Pheldarius Payne, per a league source. Payne (6-3, 285 pounds), 4.85 speed, recorded four sacks with one forced fumble last season. He had an official visits with the New York Giants.

Playing in a rotation, Payne had a 90.7 Pro Football Focus grade for the third-highest Power Five defensive tackle mark. he had 31 tackles and 10 tackles for losses last season.

North Carolina running back British Brooks joined the Texans on an undrafted deal, per a source. Brooks (5-11, 225) rushed for 375 yards and two touchdowns last season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He rushed for 295 yards in 2021 and four touchdowns, missing the 2022 season due to a torn knee ligament. Brooks is a former walk-on who earned a scholarship.

The Texans signed Illinois linebacker Tarique Barnes to an undrafted deal that includes a $10,000 signing bonus, $85,000 of his contract guaranteed for a total of $95,000 total guaranteed, per a source.

Barnes (6-1, 230) was a team captain, academic All-Big Ten Conference selection who had six starts last season and had 25 tackles and had one sack. He finished his career with 189 tackles, 18 for losses, 5 1/2 sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles.

The Texans signed BYU linebacker Max Tooley to an undrafted deal that includes a $25,000 signing bonus and $100,000 of his base salary guaranteed for $125,000 total guaranteed, per a league source.

Tooley (6-2, 225) had 92 tackles, five for losses, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception last season.

He finished his career with 311 tackles, 16 1/2 for losses, three sacks, two forced fumbles and seven interceptions.

“To me, everybody is attacking the same way,” Ryans said. “You don’t want to attack the situation differently just because you are drafted or undrafted. There are a ton of guys who have made it in this league who are undrafted right now. Our starting middle linebacker (Azeez Al-Shaair) was an undrafted player and he has done very well for himself in this league.

“It’s all about putting your head down and working while continuing to get better. It doesn’t matter where you are selected. It’s about what you do once you step onto the field. The opportunity is there for everyone and that’s always our message.”

Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.