Latest news with #AireontaeErsery
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.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL insider believes Texans landed A Round 1 OL on Day 2 of draft
NFL insider believes Texans landed A Round 1 OL on Day 2 of draft Give it time, but the Houston Texans' selection of Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery might prove to be one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft. 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. Entering rookie minicamp on Friday, no one on the offensive line can say they'll be a Day 1 starter. Ersery, who hopes to be the long-term replacement for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, might win a starting job, but he won't gain it from the get-go. The Texans can be patient with the development of Ersery since he's a second-round pick and not a Day 1 starter. Then again, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the Texans might have stayed put at No. 25 and selected the Golden Gophers. Some viewed him as a Thursday talent. "People in Houston's draft room will tell you Caserio doesn't move up and down for splash but simply to try to maximize value," Fowler wrote. "The Texans say they believe they did that with second-round offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, whom some scouts thought might slide into the late first round. He has plenty of versatility." Trades are common for the Texans, even those on Day 1. According to multiple reports, Houtson tried to get aggressive and land an offensive lineman in the top 20 before eventually moving out of the first-round altogehter for an extra third-round pick from the New York Giants. Houston made "aggressive attempts" to try and trade up for Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker and Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks, but the asking price was too high. The Texans did land a nice consolation prize in the form of Iowa State wideout Jayden Higgins, who could very well line up in the backfield at times in new offensive coordinator Nick Caley's system. But Ersery might be the steal of steals. Given his potential, Houston might have landed itself a Round 1 talent midway through Day 2.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans select Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery with 48th overall pick in 2025 NFL draft
The Houston Texans couldn't sit and wait until No. 58 to land their next star offensive tackle on Day 2. Instead, they've moving up ten spot to land an All-Big Ten talent. After shipping off the No. 59 overall pick and No. 99 overall pick, the Texans secured the 48th overall pick from the Las Vegas Raiders and selected Minnesota offensive tackle Aiereontae Ersery. The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle and three-year starter should compete for starting reps at left tackle starting in 2025 with veteran Cam Robinson. 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. Advertisement Lance Zierlein of wrote the following evaluation of Ersery: Three-year starter at left tackle with good power. Ersery is not a natural bender, which creates disadvantages with leverage and when attempting to mirror moving fronts. He's well-versed in Minnesota's outside zone attack, but might be more consistent in power, inside zone and hat-on-hat matchups. He's huge, but he sets with good quickness to the rush, using his length and hand strength to gather it or lock it out. His anchor is derived from his upper half, which opens him to hand counters. Ersery has the potential to become an average starting tackle on the right side, but his success will be tied to matchups across from him. NFL DRAFT HUB: Live NFL Draft news, live picks, grades, analysis and more. The Texans now have two picks on Day 2 and will not select until No. 79. Texans' 2025 draft picks Round 2 No. 34 : Jayden Higgins, WR Iowa State Round 2 : No. 48 : Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota Round 3 : No. 79 Round 3: No. 89 Round 6: No. 179 Round 6: No. 216 Round 7: No. 236 Round 7: No. 241 Round 7: No. 255 This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans select OT Aireontae Ersery with 48th overall pick in NFL draft
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reveals position for Aireontae Ersery
In years past, the Houston Texans would play offensive linemen out of position if they felt like they were one of the five best players on the roster. That won't be the case for second-round pick Aireontae Ersery. After moving up 10 in the second round to select the Minnesota offensive tackle, the plan is to leave him on the outside rather than try to shift him inside for 2025 as a potential guard option. Advertisement "[We] really liked his tape in college at tackle, he played left tackle, so we'll start him out at tackle,' Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. Entering rookie minicamp on Friday, no one person on the offensive line can say they'll be a Day 1 starter. Ersery, who hopes to be the long-term replacement for five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, might end up winning a starting job, but he won't gain it from the get-go. Veteran Tytus Howard is likely to be a starter somewhere on the offensive line given his experience, talent and flexibility. The same goes for Cam Robinson, who inked a one-year, $12 million to replace Tunsil for the short term. Should Easery impress throughout training camp, however, he could move over to right tackle or even force Robinson to switch sides on the offensive line. Advertisement 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. Even if Ersery is the long-term ploy on the blindside, he doesn't necessarily have to start this year should Robinson be the best option. He can learn from the former second-round pick and perhaps become the left tackle of the future while transitioning from the college game to the pros. The Texans begin minicamp on Friday this week. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans HC DeMeco Ryans reveals position for Aireontae Ersery
