Area prospects put their skill sets to the test
The Texans worked out Texas running back D’Onta Foreman during their local prospect workout Saturday.
Foreman, who is from Texas City, worked out for New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick earlier this week, running the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds and recording a 33-inch vertical leap.
Foreman led the nation last season with 2,048 rushing yards and was named a consensus All American, winning the Doak Walker award as the nation’s top running back.
He rushed for 15 touchdowns and averaged 184.4 yards per game in 2016.
Foreman declared early for the NFL draft. He has been graded anywhere from a late first-round to a second-round draft target.
Foreman is down from 6-1, 249 pounds last season and weighed in at 233 pounds at the NFL scouting combine. He was held out of the combine due to a stress fracture in his foot.
In high school, Foreman played running back, defensive end and linebacker.
He rushed for 4,382 yards and 61 touchdowns, including 2,102 yards and 31 scores as a senior.
Harrington hopes to beat the odds
Short in stature, Lamar running back Kade Harrington has heard every whisper, every doubt about his outlook as a professional football player.
The all-time leading rusher in Lamar school history always has been one of the smaller athletes on his teams, going back to his days growing up in Kingwood.
Listed at 5-8 and weighing in at nearly 190 pounds, Harrington hasn’t let that stop him.
The former Southland Conference Player of the Year had one scholarship offer out of Kingwood despite rushing for 1,944 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior when he was named first-team Class 5A all-state.
“Obviously, people have always said, ‘You can’t do it because you’re too short and too small,’’” Harrington said. “I had one offer coming out of high school and that had a lot to do with my size.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to compete. There have been quite a few successful guys in the NFL that were 5-8 and shorter. “I’ve got to prove myself.” Determined to forge a niche in the NFL, Harrington auditioned for the Texans at their training facility on Saturday at their local prospect workout, Harrington also is scheduled for an official visit with the New York Giants.
Harrington was a three-time all-conference selection and a preseason All-American candidate last season.
However, he tore ligaments in his left foot and was limited to 636 yards and four touchdowns as a senior.
Harrington is a versatile performer who rushed for 2,092 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior.
He finished his collegiate career with 4,348 yards and 44 touchdown runs, catching 97 passes for 930 yards and seven scores.
“I think I’m a dynamic runner,” Harrington said. “My biggest attribute is I can catch the ball out of the backfield.”
Ward auditions at wide receiver
The Texans auditioned former University of Houston star quarterback Greg Ward Jr. as a wide receiver Saturday at their local prospect workout.
Ward is converting to wide receiver after primarily playing quarterback for the Cougars.
Ward ran the 40-yard dash as fast as 4.48 seconds at his Pro Day, according to NFL scouts. He had a 34½-inch vertical leap and a 9-7 broad jump.
A prolific, undersized quarterback in college, Ward is attempting to forge a niche as a slot receiver at the professional level.
Griffin works out at tight end
Having recovered from a strained quadriceps that hampered him at his Pro Day workout, former Texas Southern football player Derrick Griffin auditioned for the Texans.
Griffin played wide receiver in college, but the former Terry standout worked out for the Texans at tight end during their local prospects day.
Griffin was 6-6, 240 pounds, down eight pounds from the Rice Pro Day when he couldn’t run a 40-yard dash.
Griffin met with Texans general manager Rick Smith and several coaches.
A former SWAC Basketball Player of the Year, Griffin was dismissed from the football team following a heated argument with his position coach.
He left the basketball team of his own choosing to prepare for the NFL.
“I think I did pretty well,” Griffin said. “I was at tight end for the first time. It was a good experience. I felt back to 100 percent.
“I bounced back. I felt good running my routes. I felt good at a different position. I’ll play wherever they want me to play. I’ll get in where I fit in.”
Griffin said he has heard from several NFL teams, including the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
The Texans also worked out Texas Southern kicker Eric Medina and defensive lineman Damond King. Medina connected on 15 of 16 field goals last season and was an all-conference selection.
“It went really good,” Medina said. “I had a pretty good showing.
“I’m at peace with my performance.”
Knight, Davis show their stuff
The Texans worked out Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight and Southern Methodist quarterback Matt Davis during their local prospect workout.
Knight ran a 4.54 in the 40yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, the fastest of any quarterback. He had a 35½-inch vertical leap.
The Oklahoma transfer had a good season for the Aggies last season. He passed for 2,432 yards and 19 touchdowns, rushing for 614 yards and 10 scores.
Davis tore his anterior cruciate ligament in September and missed the remainder of the season.
He opted to declare for the draft rather than seek a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. Aaron Wilson