‘Quiet Storm’ looks on track to make impact
After sitting out last season due to injury, linebacker Ejiofor ready to forge a role
Duke Ejiofor has experienced this moment enough times that he has learned to trust the feeling while confidently propelling his body forward, backward and sideways.
Instead of being held back by doubt and uncertainty, the Texans’ veteran outside linebacker plants his cleats firmly into the ground with the knowledge his surgically repaired Achilles tendon is built for the rigors of a football season.
The Alief Taylor graduate lost his entire second NFL season last year when he got hurt during workouts. Now, Ejiofor has regained his flexibility, explosiveness and belief in his Achilles.
During recent workouts with his teammates, Ejiofor has displayed an ability to fire out of his stance and get upfield or reverse directions in pass coverage drills. He appeared comfortable and fast and is extremely excited as he prepares for training camp and the first day of practice Aug. 14.
It’s a significant milestone for the former sixth-round draft pick from Wake Forest.
“Absolutely, I feel great,” Ejiofor said. “I’ve been feeling really good for a couple of months now and waiting to get back to the facility, control what I can control and wait for things to pop off with training camp.
“We haven’t been able to do everything we wanted to do because of the pandemic. We’ve done all we can within our means. I’m ready to get back out there, honestly.”
Ejiofor has learned to listen to his body, gaining perspective from having to undergo surgery for a torn labrum in his shoulder prior to his rookie season. He measured his progress with small steps, not rushing his recovery.
“Just the way I saw it, I took a day-to-day approach and enjoying the small victories of the rehab process, taking the same steps, learning how to walk and learning how to run again,” Ejiofor said. “That has been what it’s been like for me, not going too far ahead. That’s what can mess you up in the head: if you look too far down the road. I just attacked getting better every day.”
The Texans’ coaching staff hasn’t forgotten about Ejifor’s skills. New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver included Ejiofor among the returning players he expects to make a jump this season.
“We have a bunch of talented rushers on the roster,” Weaver said this spring. “The beauty for me is that I’ve got to find ways to put them in the best place to be successful. We have guys that can win one-on-ones. Now we’ve just got to put the pieces in the right spots. But guys like Charles Omenihu, guys like Duke Ejiofor, who missed all of last year, Jacob Martin, Whitney Mercilus and J.J. Watt — we’ve got guys that can get to the quarterback, and it’s all about what we can do schematically to help present those matchups so they can be successful.”
As a rookie, Ejiofor recorded his first NFL sack against the Titans as he dropped Blaine Gabbert for a loss. He finished the season with nine tackles before getting hurt during the offseason game last year and missing every game.
A former Chronicle top 100 players selection, Ejiofor ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds with a 39-inch vertical leap in high school. He recorded 50 tackles, 17 for losses, 10½ sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles as a college junior. As a senior, Ejiofor had 47 tackles, 15 for losses, eight sacks and six pass breakups.
With the Texans this season, Ejiofor will be looking to forge a role as a situational pass rusher and in kick coverage on special teams.
“I’m just looking to help the team in any way I can, whether that be special teams or rushing the passer,” he said. “Anything really I can do.”
Toward those goals, Ejiofor has worked diligently to be as lean and strong as possible. At 6-5, Ejiofor still weighs 245 pounds but has shredded body fat.
“My body is feeling great,” he said. “I’ve been waiting to get going, and I’ve been staying in the best shape possible. I feel really good. Yes, sir, I’m ready to go.”
Nicknamed “The Quiet Storm” in high school, Ejiofor is known for his stoic, serious personality. He takes a lot of pride in providing a strong example at his high school while playing for the hometown team he grew up cheering.
“Looking back to when I first got drafted coming out of Wake Forest, I never imagined that I would get to play for my hometown team,” Ejiofor said. “That’s definitely something I’m proud to say, and I’m ready to represent and continue to represent for my family and friends.”
Off the field, Ejiofor is heavily involved in the community. He recently partnered with Texas Southern athletics to support the historically Black university along with teammates Deshaun Watson, Kenny Stills, Laremy Tunsil and Whitney Mercilus.
“I just like to lead by example with how I approach things and how I move as a person and a human being,” Ejiofor said. “I would like for future generations to see how I moved, and I would like to think they would look up to me for what I did as a football player and what I do as a person as well.”