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Hello, rook: Texans' Ryans letting his draft class...
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Kevin Clark: C.J. Stroud is the biggest X factor in the league (0:51)Kevin Clark shares his thoughts on "Get Up” about whether C.J. Stroud can lead the Texans to a Super Bowl. (0:51)DJ Bien-AimeMay 15, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseDJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets for the New York Daily News. He's a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show "Talkin' Texans."Multiple AuthorsHOUSTON -- DeMeco Ryans made it clear to players during rookie minicamp: The Houston Texans' culture is set.So the newcomers are being challenged to acclimate to what has been built and how coach Ryans operates."I don't have to say much on it," Ryans said after Day 1 of rookie minicamp. "But I still have to make sure I teach our rookies what that looks like. A lot of guys are coming from a lot of different places all over the country, a lot of different schools that do things a lot of different ways. We're just going to have to let them know how we do it here in Houston."The culture hovers around having good people paired with their "SWARM" (special work ethic and relentless mindset) mantra. Since Ryans took over the head-coaching reins in 2023, the Texans are sixth in wins (32) and their three playoff wins are tied for fourth most. In that span, they've also clinched two AFC South titles and three playoff berths with each season ending in the divisional round.Defense has been the calling card of Ryans' teams, as Houston allowed the fewest yards (277.2 per game) and second-fewest points (17.4) in 2025. In three seasons, they rank fourth in scoring defense (19)."It may be a little different, but we believe in what we do here," Ryans said. "We think it works. We build it around the people. That's what you'll notice about the draft class when you talk to them."Many of Ryans' players have had decorated seasons -- such as defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors. Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans. And that's not including former running back Joe Mixon and left tackle Laremy Tunsil making Pro Bowls during his tenure.One of the Texans' culture prerequisites is character, so they can build what they believe is a healthy locker room. Houston showed resilience in overcoming 0-2 and 0-3 starts in 2023 and 2025, respectively.Ryans praised the character of their newest draft picks led by first-round pick guard Keylan Rutledge along with second-round picks in defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and tight end Marlin Klein. Along with being talented players in the Texans' eyes, the human element was one Ryans pointed out."Starting with Rutledge. A really great guy, loves football," Ryans said. "He's ready to put on pads today, so I had to slow him down. It's exciting to work with these guys, exciting to see them. My main message for these guys, it's not about coming out and being perfect today. I just want to see how they progress the next day."Despite the limited amount of time with Ryans after being drafted just a couple of weeks ago, Rutledge already sees why his new coach been successful."He just has a joy for the game, a true love for the game," Rutledge said. "You can tell. It just feeds off you. He loves ball. He loves being around it. He loves preparing young men. You can just feel that joy and that love for the game."
Takes mentioned in this episode
- Houston Texans team · positive
“The Houston Texans' culture is set. So the newcomers are being challenged to acclimate to what has been built and how coach Ryans operates.”
Strong organizational culture established; sixth in wins (32) over three seasons with multiple playoff appearances and divisional titles; elite defense
- DeMeco Ryans coach · positive
“DeMeco Ryans made it clear to players during rookie minicamp: The Houston Texans' culture is set.”
Praised for establishing strong team culture, defensive excellence, and player development; 32 wins in 3 seasons with multiple playoff appearances
- Danielle Hunter player · positive
“defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors.”
Many of Ryans' players have had decorated seasons -- such as defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors.
- Derek Stingley Jr. player · positive
“defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors.”
Many of Ryans' players have had decorated seasons -- such as defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors.
- Calen Bullock player · positive
“Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.
- Kamari Lassiter player · positive
“Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.
- Azeez Al-Shaair player · positive
“Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.
- Marlin Klein player · positive
“second-round picks in... tight end Marlin Klein.”
Mentioned as a talented player among the new draft class.
- Will Anderson Jr. player · positive
“defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors.”
Many of Ryans' players have had decorated seasons -- such as defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors.
- Derek Stingley Jr. player · positive
“defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors”
Recognized for All-Pro honors under Ryans' coaching
- Calen Bullock player · positive
“Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Achieved first Pro Bowl selection under Ryans' coaching
- Azeez Al-Shaair player · positive
“Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Achieved first Pro Bowl selection under Ryans' coaching
- Nico Collins player · positive
“Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Achieved first Pro Bowl selection under Ryans' coaching
- Houston Texans team · positive
“The Houston Texans' culture is set.”
Coach Ryans describes the established team culture and expectations for new players.
- DeMeco Ryans player · positive
“I just want to see how they progress the next day.”
Ryans emphasizes a growth-oriented approach for rookie players during minicamp.
- Will Anderson Jr. player · positive
“such as defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter... notching All-Pro honors.”
Mentioned as a decorated player who achieved All-Pro status under Ryans' coaching.
- Derek Stingley Jr. player · positive
“cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors.”
Mentioned as a decorated player who received All-Pro honors under Ryans' coaching.
- Calen Bullock player · positive
“Safety Calen Bullock... made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Mentioned as a player who reached the Pro Bowl selection under coach Ryans.
- Kamari Lassiter player · positive
“cornerback Kamari Lassiter... made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Mentioned as a player who reached the Pro Bowl selection under coach Ryans.
- Laremy Tunsil player · positive
“left tackle Laremy Tunsil making Pro Bowls during his tenure.”
Mentioned as a player who made the Pro Bowl during coach Ryans' coaching tenure.
- Keylan Rutledge player · positive
“first-round pick guard Keylan Rutledge... A really great guy, loves football.”
Coach Ryans praises the character and enthusiasm of his first-round draft pick.
- Kayden McDonald player · positive
“second-round picks in defensive tackle Kayden McDonald... along with talented players.”
Mentioned as a talented player among the new draft class.
- Nico Collins player · positive
“wideout Nico Collins... made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Mentioned as a player who reached the Pro Bowl selection under coach Ryan's coaching.
- C.J. Stroud player · positive
“quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Mentioned as a player who reached the Pro Bowl selection under coach Ryan's coaching.
- Joe Mixon player · positive
“not including former running back Joe Mixon... making Pro Bowls during his tenure.”
Mentioned as a player who made the Pro Bowl during coach Ryans' coaching tenure.
- C.J. Stroud player · positive
“C.J. Stroud is the biggest X factor in the league (0:51)Kevin Clark shares his thoughts on "Get Up” about whether C.J. Stroud can lead the Texans to a Super Bowl. (0:51)”
Kevin Clark: C.J. Stroud is the biggest X factor in the league (0:51)Kevin Clark shares his thoughts on "Get Up” about whether C.J. Stroud can lead the Texans to a Super Bowl. (0:51)
- Nico Collins player · positive
“Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.
- Kamari Lassiter player · positive
“Safety Calen Bullock, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, wideout Nico Collins and quarterback C.J. Stroud made their first Pro Bowls under Ryans.”
Achieved first Pro Bowl selection under Ryans' coaching
- C.J. Stroud player · positive
“C.J. Stroud is the biggest X factor in the league”
Framed as a key variable in Texans' Super Bowl potential; also noted as first Pro Bowl selection under Ryans
- Will Anderson Jr. player · positive
“defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. notching All-Pro honors”
Recognized for All-Pro honors under Ryans' coaching