Latest news with #Ersery
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL analyst Brian Baldinger wowed by Texans rookie OT Aireontae Ersery's debut vs. Vikings
How impressive was Houston Texans rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery's debut? One NFL analyst can't stop gushing over his performance against the Minnesota Vikings. NFL Network's Brian Baldinger recently broke down Ersery's drive against the Vikings in pass protection during his famous "Baldy Breakdown" videos on Tuesday morning. It didn't take long for the longtime offensive line analyst to point out how mature, steady and set Ersery was in his breaks, pad level and latch-on capability to win nearly every one-on-one battle during pass protection sets. "He's got tremendous length. He knows how to use his arms, too. Like, just keep running right around the arc," Baldinger said while watching a rep against former first-round pick Dallas Turner. "Let Davis Mills make the throw." On another snap, Ersery made a veteran move by allowing the pass-rusher to work inside, thus giving him the edge to win his one-on-one and create an even larger running lane for the tailback to pick up a first down. Pro Football Focus also came away impressed with Ersery's pass-blocking skills. His 77.7 pass-blocking rating was the highest among all players on either line. The Minnesota product also didn't allow a single pressure to Mills. "He only played 10 snaps, but I thought he played well in those 10 snaps," Baldinger said. "He looked comfortable playing left tackle." The plan right now is for Ersery to start at right tackle this season while veteran Cam Robinson handles the left side as Laremy Tunsil's immediate replacement. That's only for one season. Long-term Ersery should shift over to the left side and become a staple blindside protector for C.J. Stroud. Perhaps the future has arrived early? Like say, Week 1 in Los Angeles?
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
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Texans tried to move up 20 spots for OT Aireontae Ersery
Report: Texans tried to move up 20 spots for OT Aireontae Ersery After Round 1 of last month's NFL draft, the Houston Texans made it clear their sights were set on landing Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery as their hopeful Laremy Tunsil 2.0. By the middle of the second round, Houston pulled the trigger, sending picks No. 58 and No. 99 to the Las Vegas Raiders to move up 10 spots and make the selection. Now in the building, Ersey can hopefully transform into a stable option at left tackle, protecting C.J. Stroud's blindside for years to come. But the Texans really wanted Ersey following his top-30 visit with the franchise in the offseason. How much were they willing to wager on his potential? According to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander, the Texans tried to move up 20 spots for the All-Big Ten lineman in a trade with the New England Patriots. "As a projected late first-round, early second-round pick, the Texans' front office thought there was a chance someone could take him early in the second round," Alexander wrote. "But the Patriots declined to take Houston's offer of picks No. 58 and 79 and a third-rounder in 2026." The report matches the recent video released by New England on its draft weekend. A pick No. 38, the Patriots were locked in on Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson to begin the second round, but two teams made offers to try and move up. Chicago was one, offering a seventh-round pick to move back one spot. According to multiple reports, that move was for Henderson. Houston was willing to give up more, but the selection was for Ersey rather than the All-Big Ten running back. 'With (Aireontae), we add a guy who brings that physicality, that mindset, that I really think helps offensive linemen be good at their job,' coach DeMeco Ryans said earlier this month. 'He's done a great job at playing left tackle and still has room to grow and develop.' The Texans were hoping to improve their offensive line after the previous group gave up 54 sacks last season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times, the second-most in the NFL. Adding Ersery, a 6-foot-6, 311-pound "dancing bear," could be the spark needed for a complete culture shift. Ersery was considered the best of the Day 2 offensive tackles and comes with ample experience on the left side. He started 38 games in his final three years at Minnesota, earning a third-team AP All-American, a Big 10 first-team selection, and the Big 10 offensive lineman of the year. Ryans said the Texans would start him out of left tackle and go from there. Ersery said he's willing to do whatever the coaches ask him to do. 'That's the type of guy I am,' Ersery told reporters. 'Whenever I get out there I'm going to give it my all to protect C.J. (Stroud).' The Texans return to the practice field for voluntary OTAs this week.
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.
