Defensive end Charles Omenihu is coming off a terrific camp and preseason with the Houston Texans.
Although he’s currently listed behind Whitney Mercilus and Jacob Martin on the depth chart, Omenihu is expected to receive a significant amount of playing time on the left end.
The Texans selected Omenihu in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Through his first two seasons in the NFL, he has appeared in 30 games with 31 total tackles, seven sacks, and seven tackles for loss.
The former Longhorn continues to stay involved with his alma mater. You can often catch him tweeting about an upcoming Texas matchup on Twitter, for better or for worse.
Omenihu was a four-year defensive end for the Longhorns and totaled 99 tackles with 29.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. He earned Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and first team All-Big 12 honors in 2018. He knows a thing or two about what it takes to compete at this level.
Sports radio host Brad Kellner of ESPN 97.5 Houston recently gauged Omenihu’s thoughts on Texas’ struggles against Arkansas and what the program needs to do to get back to the top.
Had #Texans DE and Lifetime #Longhorn Charles Omenihu (@charless_94) on @espn975 earlier this week.
Asked him about the Arkansas disaster and what needs to change for @TexasFootball to finally turn things around.
Take a listen: pic.twitter.com/PTXDNqeX2n
— Brad Kellner (@BradKellner) September 17, 2021
Kellner mentioned Omenihu’s insider perspective being part of the team in the past, and what he feels needs to change in order for Texas to turn things around under Steve Sarkisian.
“Mentality. The mentality that when you step in-between those white lines, that you’re the best player and you’re going to show that you’re the best player on every snap. Mentality — that this is how you feed your family in a sense, so if you care about your family and you care about making a name for yourself, you’re going to perform well,” Omenihu said. In summary, he feels Texas needs to land a few more of ‘those guys.’
Omenihu believes once Texas gets players that are locked in 110%, they will get back to the top of the college football world. It’s clear he has complete trust in Sarkisian and his staff to accomplish that.