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Why did the Houston Texans hand out another defensive contract extension, this time to linebacker Henry To'oTo'o?
It's pretty simple in the eyes of head coach DeMeco Ryans.
He earned it.
“I remember Henry's rookie year, being out here in training camp, and no matter what I threw at him, he kept shining with every rep,” Ryans said following Friday's practice. “It's like, ‘man, this rookie may be starting for us’ because he did things the right way. He did the things how I asked him to do it, and I saw right then that this would be a really good player for us.”
A 2023 fifth-round pick, To'oTo'o went from being a star on special teams to a subpackage linebacker to an everyday starter within one season. Last year, opposite Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair, he finished with 95 tackles, the second-most on the Texans’ top-ranked defense, along with three sacks and nine tackles for losses with four quarterback hits.
Because of his consistent play, the Texans knew he needed to be a part of their foundational run beyond 2026, offering him a two-year, $16 million extension with an extra $1 million incentive. Over the past two years, he's blossomed into one of Houston's most reliable playmakers, totaling 200 tackles, including 14 for loss.
"I'm proud of Henry," Ryans said. "I'm proud of him. Just to watch him at camp and I spoke about this the other day, watching how he's so intentional on getting better at the little things.
“He's doing an outstanding job, look for his game to really take off this year."
Much like Ryans' playing days, To'oTo'o has been a constant force up the middle at linebacker. Also like his head coach, he kindled his craft at the University of Alabama.
No one will say that's why Houston kept him around, but it doesn't hurt having the Roll Tide attached to one's name.
"He's from a really good school," Ryans laughed at following practice. "Not his first school [Tennessee], but his second school [Alabama]. A really good school."
To'oTo'o is now the fifth player from last year's No. 1 defense to sign a new multi-year deal, joining Al-Shaair, All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr., Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans HC DeMeco Ryans on Henry To'oTo'o's extension: 'He's about to take off'
Continue reading...
It's pretty simple in the eyes of head coach DeMeco Ryans.
He earned it.
“I remember Henry's rookie year, being out here in training camp, and no matter what I threw at him, he kept shining with every rep,” Ryans said following Friday's practice. “It's like, ‘man, this rookie may be starting for us’ because he did things the right way. He did the things how I asked him to do it, and I saw right then that this would be a really good player for us.”
A 2023 fifth-round pick, To'oTo'o went from being a star on special teams to a subpackage linebacker to an everyday starter within one season. Last year, opposite Pro Bowler Azeez Al-Shaair, he finished with 95 tackles, the second-most on the Texans’ top-ranked defense, along with three sacks and nine tackles for losses with four quarterback hits.
Because of his consistent play, the Texans knew he needed to be a part of their foundational run beyond 2026, offering him a two-year, $16 million extension with an extra $1 million incentive. Over the past two years, he's blossomed into one of Houston's most reliable playmakers, totaling 200 tackles, including 14 for loss.
"I'm proud of Henry," Ryans said. "I'm proud of him. Just to watch him at camp and I spoke about this the other day, watching how he's so intentional on getting better at the little things.
“He's doing an outstanding job, look for his game to really take off this year."
Much like Ryans' playing days, To'oTo'o has been a constant force up the middle at linebacker. Also like his head coach, he kindled his craft at the University of Alabama.
No one will say that's why Houston kept him around, but it doesn't hurt having the Roll Tide attached to one's name.
"He's from a really good school," Ryans laughed at following practice. "Not his first school [Tennessee], but his second school [Alabama]. A really good school."
To'oTo'o is now the fifth player from last year's No. 1 defense to sign a new multi-year deal, joining Al-Shaair, All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr., Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans HC DeMeco Ryans on Henry To'oTo'o's extension: 'He's about to take off'
Continue reading...
