Twitter Refs, INT or nah? @JalenPitre1 pic.twitter.com/pddhHYmsSB
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 5, 2022
A tipped ball fluttered through the hot Houston air and was swiftly snatched and secured by rookie safety Jalen Pitre. Not a bad highlight to have on the fifth day of training camp.
On Day 6 of Houston Texans training camp, Pitre was once again a standout performer.
The rookie out of Baylor has gotten off to a hot start, impressing fellow teammates and displaying everything the Houston coaching staff expects from their starting safety.
“Of course, he’s one of our starting safeties.” coach Lovie Smith told reporters Saturday. “But he’s intelligent, smart, everything we’re looking for in a safety, he has.”
It’s not a guarantee for a second-round pick to immediately win the starting position; however, Pitre’s athleticism and instincts have translated to impressive playmaking.
The Texans coaching staff are rewarding the youngster with first team snaps, hoping that on-field experience will sharpen the young tools in their shed. Along with the rookie Pitre, cornerback Derek Stingley offensive lineman Kenyon Green, linebacker Christian Harris and running back Dameon Pierce have all — to different degrees – gained reps with the starters.
This is an encouraging display of awareness out of the Texans. They are embracing the rebuild and prioritizing development of their key rookies and sophomores.
Pitre appears to be the most ready to contribute early. With the Texans’ first preseason game set for Aug. 13 at the New Orleans Saints, fans are counting down the days until they can watch the promising safety live up to the camp hype.