When Keith Mumphery got the call from the Texans, he wasn't surprised.
"I felt like I got the most interest from the Texans, but I didn't know what to expect," the 5th-round selection out of Michigan State said via a Saturday conference call. "I was just sitting back, embracing the moment with my family."
A wide receiver with the Spartans, Mumphery started for three years in East Lansing. As a senior in 2014, he averaged 19 yards per catch. The Texans definitely took interest in Mumphery in the runup to the Draft, and then on Saturday afternoon when he was picked 175th overall.
"Throughout the process, I felt like they were more interested because they were the only team that actually worked me out," Mumphery said. "I worked out at Michigan State. The workout was fun."
Mumphery caught seven career touchdowns and finished with 88 catches for 1,348 yards from 2011 to 2014. He cited his strengths as doing "everything with 110 percent effort" and making his teammates around him better.
Throughout this offseason, head coach Bill O'Brien has said the Texans needed to improve team speed and get better on special teams coverage. Mumphery emphasized, twice, that he's willing and able to contribute in that area.
"I can play every special teams, I can play every special teams," he said.
Mumphery grew up in the Atlanta area, and is currently pursuing a masters degree in communications.
The Houston Texans roster in photos. (Updated 4/8/2021)
TE, Jordan Akins, #88
DL, Auzoyah Alufohai, #98
DB, Cornell Armstrong, #30
OL, Beau Benzschawel, #62
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
WR, Steven Mitchell Jr., #11
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
QB, Tyrod Taylor
DL, Vincent Taylor
LB, Joe Thomas
DB, Tavierre Thomas
OL, Cole Toner
OL, Laremy Tunsil, #78
TE, Kahale Warring, #81
QB, Deshaun Watson, #4
LS, Jon Weeks #46
