The Houston Texans are taking the field for their rookie minicamp on Friday, and they announced that they reached deals with former Incarnate Word wide receiver Jalen Walthall and several others just ahead of the event.
Walthall is a Missouri City, Texas native and graduate of Manvel High School, who spent the past two seasons with the Cardinals after a two-year stint at Hawaii.
He is one of several intriguing names to watch for this weekend.
Texans Announce Deals With Jalen Walthall, 11 Others
GettyJalen Walthall has signed a UDFA contract with the Houston Texans.
Walthall is one of three wideouts the Texans signed as undrafted free agents, with all 12 players’ deals announced on Friday. He left UIW with 155 receptions for 2,137 yards and 22 touchdowns. His best season was 2024, when he posted an 85-1,290-14 line for the campaign.
However, Walthall is also already famous for another reason.
He is the originator of “The Walt,” more commonly known to NFL fans as the headstand celebration performed by Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2024.
The Texans also signed wide receivers Daniel Sobkowicz, who finished his four years at Illinois State with 3,559 yards and 41 touchdowns on 262 catches, and Treyvhon Saunders, who posted a 230-2,675-15 line during his four seasons at Colgate.
Houston’s group was otherwise largely a hodgepodge of positions and skill sets.
They signed two cornerbacks, Collin Wright and Stephen Hall, and a pair of defensive linemen in EDGE Sebastian Harsh and tackle Dominic Bailey.
The Texans also added two running backs in Joshua Pitsenberger and Noah Whittington, and two offensive linemen in James Neal III and Sam Hagen. Punter Jack Stonehouse, a cousin of veteran NFL punter Ryan Stonehouse, was the only player signed at his position.
Texans Announce Rookie Numbers
GettyKeylan Rutledge and the rest of the Houston Texans rookies have received their jersey numbers.
The Texans also updated what numbers their incoming rookie players will wear this season, including first-round pick Keylan Rutledge. He will don No. 66, last worn by former Texans O-lineman Cole Toner in 2021.
Texans second-round pick Kayden McDonald will wear No. 93, as he recently revealed in a post on Instagram.
That number last belonged to former Texans DT Kurt Hinish just this past season.
Walthall and the Texans’ other rookie UDFAs also received their numbers. Those (and to be honest, those of the players who were drafted) are subject to change as the offseason progresses and the regular season arrives, though.
Walthall has been assigned No. 16, which last belonged to quarterback Kedon Slovis in 2024.
Former Colts RB Trying Out for Texans
David Jensen/GettyVeteran running back Evan Hull is part of the Houston Texans’ rookie minicamp.
The Texans invited several veterans to their rookie minicamp. The group includes former University of Houston QB Clayton Tune and, perhaps even more notably, running back Evan Hull. Hull was a fifth-round selection of the Indianapolis Colts in 2023.
He had 48 yards on 19 rushing attempts for the New Orleans Saints last season.
Hull and Tune are the only veteran tryouts at Texans rookie minicamp. Rookie UDFA Kai Horton is the only other QB participating.
Some of these players, beyond the Texans’ draft class, will be brought back for OTAs and training camp. For the others, this is another opportunity to add their name to a team’s database.
Texans Announce Deal With Homegrown 22-TD Wide Receiver, Several Others