Mark Berman of Fox 26 Sports in Houston reported earlier today that the Texans have agreed to terms with 18 undrafted rookie free agents.
UPDATE: July 30 – Hagan and Taylor are not on the list of signings posted on the Texans official website.
Instead of simply passing on a list of names, let’s dig a little deeper and see what we can learn about this newest group of Texans rookies:
- Mister Alexander (6-3, 242), LB, Florida State. Alexander is a 2006 graduate of Aldine Eisenhower and is looking forward to playing in his hometown (yourhoustonnews.com)
- Howard Barbieri (6-5, 304), C/G, Rutgers. Barbieri walked on at Rutgers, redshirted, and eventually played every position on the offensive line for the Scarlet Knights (espn.com)
- Justin (Bubba) Bartlett (6-1, 246), FB, Carroll College – Helena Montana. Bartlett played tight end for the NAIA national champion Saints which should help him over the next few weeks because Gary Kubiak likes him some pass catching fullbacks. (carroll.edu)
- Bryan Braman (6-6, 240), OLB, West Texas A&M. Braman is getting a second chance at football thanks to Wade Phillips and Bobby King. (amarillo.com)
- Steven Friday (6-4, 250), OLB, Virginia Tech. Friday, who experienced a life changing event during his high school years, will most likely get backup reps at outside linebacker in the Texans 3-4 (hamptonroads.com)
- John Graves (6-3, 283), DL, Virginia Tech, It will be a Hokie reunion at Reliant Park when Graves and Friday join Xavier Adibi, Duane Brown and Roc Carmichael who are already in the house. Graves, who is characterized as a quiet leader, is working toward his third college degree and has expressed aspirations of someday working for the FBI. (washingtonpost.com)
- Darian Hagan (6-0, 180), CB, California. If the name sounds familiar it’s might be because his father, Darian Sr., helped Colorado win a national championship in 1990. (denverpost.com)
- Brett Hartmann (6-4, 227), P, Central Michigan. The Texans don’t have a punter under contract so I guess it’s probably a good idea to sign one. Hartmann was a three year starter at punter for the Chippewas and was named their special teams player of the year in 2010. (cmuchippewas.com)
- Pete Hendrickson (6-8, 310), OT, Tulane. Hendrickson has good upper body strength and a long wingspan but is a “right tackle only” kind of player according to NFL scout Chris Landry. (nola.com)
- Terrence Toliver (6-4, 212), WR, LSU. “Being labeled immature kept him out of the draft, but 126 receptions at 14.4 yards per and 12 touchdowns (career) with very good size should get him into a camp. One false move, though, and he’s gone.” (nfl.com) Toliver, a Hempstead native, is thrilled to be with the Texans. (nola.com) But the Aggies weren’t thrilled watching Toliver wreck their secondary during the Cotton Bowl.
- Lestar Jean (6-3, 215), WR, Florida Atlantic. Jean is tall and physical but not a great downfield threat. He posted huge numbers during his senior season and was voted All Sun Belt Second Team in a coaches poll. (si.com) (nfldraftscout.com)
- Jeff Maehl (6-1, 190), WR, Oregon. The first team All Pac 10 receiver looks pretty good on these YouTube highlights.
- Darius Morris (6-4, 325), G, Temple. Morris lists his athletic ability and strength as his biggest strengths. (newerascouting.com)
- Zane Parr (6-4, 281), DE, Virginia. Parr passed up his final year of eligibility at Virginia but still went undrafted. (washingtonpost.com)
- Zac Pauga (6-1, 246), FB, Colorado State. A fullback from Colorado State? What are the odds? A match made in heaven for Gary Kubiak and the half-dozen other Rams alums hanging around Reliant Park. (coloradoan.com)
- Maurice Rolle (6-0), 190), S, Louisiana-Lafayette. Rolle was named Co-Sun Belt Player of the Week for his play against Arkansas State last season. (scout.com)
- Adrian Taylor (6-3, 311), DT, Oklahoma. The Mansfield Texas prep star is having a string of bad luck with injuries, suffering a broken ankle during his junior year and a torn achilles last season. (dallasnews.com)
- Jason Teague (6-2, 184), DB, TCU. Tall and rangy, Teague was named Second Team All Mountain West last season by the coaches. I’d expect him to back up at free safety in training camp and preseason. (nfldraftscout.com)
