In Year 2 as a Houston Texan, Louis Nix, III is saying all the right things.
A non-existent 2014--he wasn't active for the first three regular season games, and went on injured reserve in Week 4--has given way to a healthier, fresh start in 2015.
"It feels good," Nix said on Wednesday. "I haven't played football in a while, so I'm just happy to be back."
The defensive lineman from Notre Dame was a third round choice in the 2014 NFL Draft. After missing out on gamedays last autumn, Nix said he's grown from the experience.
"I learned a lot," Nix said. "Sometimes adversity hits and sometimes you just got to deal with it. You got to keep moving forward. I struggled with things coming in, but now I feel a little bit more adjusted to everything. I just want to improve."
Helping in that regard is a veteran and decorated defensive line room. New position coach Paul Pasqualoni is in charge, and at the front of the class are none other than J.J. Watt and Vince Wilfork. Combined, that trio has 26 years of NFL coaching/playing experience, two Super Bowl rings and a pair of Defensive Player of the Year Awards. Such a collective resume is not lost on the second-year defensive lineman.
"You want to emulate that," Nix said. "It helps you want to work hard and be just like them. That really helps, them being in the room."
Following an excellent career with the Fighting Irish, Nix's professional goals are no doubt lofty. But for now, Nix said he plans on "trying to do the little things" and "making it through a practice".
He and the Texans continue with OTAs on Thursday at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 4/16/2021)
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
TE, Antony Auclair
DL, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
DB, Cornell Armstrong, #30
DL, Ross Blacklock, #90
OL, Justin Britt
DB, Terrence Brooks
TE, Pharaoh Brown, #85
OL, Cohl Cabral, #72
OL, Marcus Cannon
WR, Randall Cobb, #18
DL, Maliek Collins
WR, Chris Conley
WR, Brandin Cooks, #13
WR, Isaiah Coulter, #82
WR, Keke Coutee, #16
DB, Keion Crossen, #35
LB, Zach Cunningham, #41
LB, Tae Davis
DL, Brandon Dunn, #92
LB, Duke Ejiofor, #53
WR, Alex Erickson
K, Ka'imi Fairbairn, #7
QB, Ryan Finley
OL, Hjalte Froholdt, #77
LB, Jonathan Greenard, #52
LB, Kamu Grugier-Hill
LB, Nate Hall, #48
DB, Vernon Hargreaves III, #26
OL, Charlie Heck, #67
RB, Dontrell Hilliard, #27
OL, Tytus Howard, #71
RB, Buddy Howell, #38
RB, Mark Ingram
TE, Ryan Izzo
LB, Jordan Jenkins
RB, David Johnson, #31
DL, Jaleel Johnson
DB, Lonnie Johnson Jr., #32
P, Cameron Johnston
DB, Desmond King
LB, Christian Kirksey
DL, Shaq Lawson
RB, Phillip Lindsay
LB, Jacob Martin, #54
OL, Justin McCray
LB, Whitney Mercilus, #59
DB, Terrance Mitchell
WR, Donte Moncrief
DB, A.J. Moore Jr., #33
WR, Chris Moore
DB, Eric Murray, #23
LB, Hardy Nickerson
DL, Charles Omenihu, #94
DB, Jonathan Owens, #36
LB, Kevin Pierre-Louis
RB, Scottie Phillips, #40
TE, Paul Quessenberry
DB, John Reid, #34
DB, Justin Reid, #20
DL, Derek Rivers
WR, Andre Roberts
DB, Bradley Roby, #21
OL, Max Scharping, #74
DB, Tremon Smith
OL, Jordan Steckler
OL, Lane Taylor
QB, Tyrod Taylor
DL, Vincent Taylor
LB, Joe Thomas
DB, Tavierre Thomas
OL, Cole Toner
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
DL, MeMarcus Walker
TE, Kahale Warring, #81
QB, Deshaun Watson, #4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
