Sourcing the film to review during training camp on Houston Texans rookies
As the Houston Texans dive headlong into training camp, I thought it would be good to take notice of the games where our rookies faced one another. Part of Nick Caserio’s regime has been selecting players from the nation’s most premier schools. Players with winning pedigrees who have played on the biggest stages. Nothing gets a player more ready for the NFL than elite competition in college. So when Houston selects the majority of its draft classes from marquee schools, it’s a great opportunity to watch multiple players battle it out in the same contest.
Houston has nine picks from the 2024 NFL Draft who hail from some fantastic programs. From USC to Georgia, from Michigan to Auburn, Nick Caserio selected what could be a deep and exciting class. Even though they’ve already cut Michigan offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson, I’ll still include him here as there’s a strong possibility he’s brought back next season.
For this article, I’ve tried to find full game films for those who’d enjoy watching two future Texans play each other along with some stats from each contest. NOTE: 2023 Holiday Bowl between (19) Louisville and USC; Bullock and Jordan both opted out. Byrd played and recovered a fumble and recorded two tackles.
USC vs. (14) Notre Dame
Who played: Blake Fisher (ND), Calen Bullock (USC), Solomon Byrd (USC),
Notable stats:
- One of Blake Fisher’s best performances; no pressures or hurries allowed and had several great blocks on big runs
- Byrd recorded four tackles
- Bullock was second on the team with six tackles. USC’s defense had a tough game and Bullock was at fault for a screen pass going for a big gain early
(6) Oregon vs USC
Who played: Calen Bullock (USC), Solomon Byrd (USC), Jamal Hill (OR)
Notable stats:
- Bullock’s missed tackle sprung a 77 yard TD by Tez Johnson. This is when USC’s defense began to fall apart
- Byrd’s four tackles plus a QB hit amounted to one of his better performances of the season
- Hill didn’t record a tackle and allowed a long pass over the middle in coverage
(10) Notre Dame vs. (25) Louisville
Who played: Blake Fisher (ND), Jawhar Jordan (LOU)
Notable plays:
- Jordan two touchdown game including a 45 yard touchdown
- Blake Fisher’s statistically worst game. He was pulled for getting consistently beaten
(9) Notre Dame vs. (6) Ohio State
Who played: Blake Fisher (ND), Cade Stover (OSU)
Notable stats:
- Cade Stover seven catches for 52 yards. Tied for his career high receptions
- Blake Fisher played one of his statistically best games. Particularly his pass blocking against two great pass rushers
(10) Ohio State vs. (1) Michigan
Who played: Cade Stover (OSU), LaDarius Henderson (Mich)
Notable stats:
- Cade Stover three catches for 42 yards including a 32 yard catch-and-run
- TD pass to Stover gets dislodged of a pass by Mike Sainstrill – a potentially history-altering play
- Ladarius Henderson: one of his statistically worst games of the season allowing three QB pressures (since been cut)
(4) Georgia vs. Auburn
Who played: Kamari Lassiter (UGA), Marcus Henderson (AUB)
Notable stats;
- Lassiter: Completely untargeted in the first quarter, he shuts down an entire side of the field and only recorded three tackles mainly because he was avoided by Auburn
- Henderson: seven total tackles and two tackles for loss were both his season highs. Made a big tackle for loss on the first play. He did get run directly at for a goal line touchdown