Texans select Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery in the 2025 NFL Draft: Social media reacts
Texans select Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery in the 2025 NFL Draft: Social media reacts
C.J. Stroud has a new long-term blindside protector and the Houston Texans have their Laremy Tunsil replacement.
The Texans swapped picks with the Las Vegas Raiders to move up 10 spots and select Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery. After becoming a fixture in the Big Ten during his tenure in Minneapolis, he heads to Houston with the intent of stabilizing the trenches for the next decade.
A third-team Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Ersery impressed on the blindside for the Golden Gophers. A three-year starter at 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.
Though Ersery was high on many boards, he was always expected to be a Day 2 selection. Some believe that with proper coaching, he could become a top-three player in the 2025 draft. Texans fans would love it, but they'll take a solid replacement for Tunsil and a long-term starter on the left side. Here is how social media reacted to the selection:
How social media reacted to the Texans selecting OT Aireontae Ersery at No. 48:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
44 minutes ago
- USA Today
Longtime former Cowboys coach at Commanders' minicamp
Jason Garrett spent almost 10 full seasons as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Dating back to his time as an NFL quarterback, backing up Troy Aikman, Garrett faced the Washington Commanders (then the Redskins) many times throughout his career. On Tuesday, Garrett was a guest on the opening day of Washington's mandatory minicamp. Apparently, Garrett was just a guest of head coach Dan Quinn. Garrett and Quinn's relationship goes back to 2005, when Garrett was the Miami Dolphins' quarterbacks coach and Quinn was Miami's defensive line coach. The 2005 season was Garrett's first as a coach, while Quinn was an up-and-coming young defensive mind. The Miami job was Quinn's second NFL job. While Quinn and Garrett are remembered for their time in Dallas, they weren't with the Cowboys simultaneously. Garrett was fired after the 2019 season, while Quinn became Dallas' defensive coordinator in 2021 for three seasons. Who hired the two young coaches in Miami 20 years ago? That would be the legendary Nick Saban. These days, Quinn is entering his second season as head coach of the resurgent Commanders, while Garrett is a studio analyst for NBC Sports' "Football Night in America."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Colorado Replaces Folsom Field's Grass Amid Former Heisman Calling Out Risks
Colorado Replaces Folsom Field's Grass Amid Former Heisman Calling Out Risks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Colorado Football is transitioning from natural grass to artificial turf at Folsom Field. A new premium AstroTurf system is nearly installed, replacing the natural grass surface that has been in place since 1998. While it will be easier to maintain, one former Heisman winner is speaking out about the risks associated with playing on turf. Advertisement Reggie Bush was one of the most electric talents in college football's modern era. However, his NFL career was cut short in 2015 due to a freak injury on an unsafe surface in St. Louis. Bush recently said NFL Players are playing on unsafe surfaces every Sunday, and they need to fight back against it. "One thing I think they need to get rid of that's still out there and is still an issue is field turf," Bush told GQ. "When we look at the studies and the correlation between field turf and ACLs, PCLs, meniscuses, just about all leg injuries, a lot of it is traced back to the surface that you play on. They're playing on one of the most dangerous surfaces. We don't see soccer being played on field turf! In Europe, they would never allow that. Right? "For some reason here—especially the NFL, which is the most dangerous sport—you're playing on the most dangerous surface. The reason why it's dangerous is because athletes are now bigger, stronger, faster. It continues to evolve. When you're that strong and that fast, something's going to give. You plant your foot into that turf and what happens is turf will grab. Grass gives." If Deion Sanders wants to model his program to be the most NFL-ready in the nation, it starts with being consistent with what's going on in the league. Three of the past four Super Bowl winners play on grass at their respective home stadiums. Advertisement Related: Where Shedeur Sanders Stands in Browns' QB Depth Chart Today For Bush, the NFL's owners will always prioritize costs over safety. "Unfortunately, NFL owners still believe that turf is the cheapest, most cost-efficient way in a league that analyzes billions every year," Bush said. "It's unfortunate. It will continue until the players decide to stand up and say, 'Listen, we don't want to play on turf anymore.' The thing is, all players hate it." Related: Deion Sanders Cancels Speaking Engagement as Rumors Swirl With the House settlement now finalized and the College Sports Commission being established, the college football players need a union to represent them. The topic of playing surfaces should be a top priority in future negotiations with the commission. Advertisement If you want a good sample size, the NFLPA has said that its own surveys show more than 90 percent of players prefer playing on grass. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Former Colorado Defensive Coordinator Reveals Travis Hunter's Ideal NFL Role
Former Colorado Defensive Coordinator Reveals Travis Hunter's Ideal NFL Role originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Few players in college football have sparked more debate, and awe than Travis Hunter. And few coaches know him better than Charles Kelly. Advertisement The former Colorado defensive coordinator spent a season witnessing Hunter's generational two-way talent up close. Now the head coach at Jacksonville State, Kelly recently shared his unfiltered thoughts on where Hunter should line up in the NFL, and it's a strong vote for defense. 'I'm playing him on defense and let him play offense in situations,' Kelly told reporters at the Alabama Sports Writers Association convention. 'He can go get the ball… he is deadly when his eyes are to the quarterback.' For Buffaloes fans who watched Hunter's 2023 breakout, this endorsement comes as no surprise. That season, Hunter captured the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player and earned All-American honors. In just nine games, he notched 3 interceptions, 31 tackles, and 5 pass breakups, all while racking up over 700 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns on offense. But for Kelly, Hunter's true value lies not in highlight-reel touchdowns, but in game-changing defensive vision. Advertisement 'When he can see where that quarterback is looking, he can find the ball,' Kelly said. 'That's what hurt us with him—we weren't good enough up front to play a lot of zone. We had to play a lot of man-to-man.' It's a telling reflection. Even while Colorado struggled defensively in 2023, Kelly still saw glimpses of Hunter's elite instincts. Special instincts that, in a more complete defense, would have been fully unleashed. Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Travis Chenoy-Imagn Images The NFL has taken notice. After winning the Heisman Trophy in 2024, becoming the first two-way player to do so since Charles Woodson, Hunter was selected No. 2 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Jags intend to use him as a two-way weapon, but Kelly thinks they'd be wise to lean into his ball-hawking abilities on defense first. Advertisement 'I do think he can play offense,' Kelly acknowledged. 'You can put things in scheme-wise to get him open. But when his eyes are on the quarterback? That's when he's at his best.' For Colorado fans still glowing from Hunter's legacy in Boulder, it's gratifying to hear a respected voice like Kelly's reinforce what they already know: Hunter isn't just a versatile star, he's a defensive difference-maker with a rare gift. And in the NFL, where turnovers change games and instincts can't be taught, Kelly's advice to Jacksonville might be the smartest game plan yet. Travis Hunter Colorado Buffaloes defense interception NCAA football This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
