Former UT star Omenihu hopes for more in second year

HOUSTON — Defensive end Charles Omenihu is undergoing a transformation he believes will help him earn more playing time and become a more productive player in his second season with the Texans.

Omenihu, a fifth-round pick in 2019, knows most NFL players make their biggest improvement between their first and second seasons. He went into the offseason with a plan to make a big jump by improving in every area.

As a rookie, Omenihu appeared in 14 games off the bench, contributing three sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections. He expects to increase each of those statistics and become more effective against the run, too.

“One of my goals during the offseason was to reinvent myself physically to become a better athlete and a better player,” he said. “I’ve put on some weight and dropped some body fat.

“I expect to be a better version of myself from the player I was last season (because of ) the work I’ve been doing. I want to put myself in position to expand my role and my playing time. I want to be better than the role I had last year.”

Barring injury, it’ll be difficult for Omenihu to become a starter in a three-man front over ends

J.J. Watt and Angelo Blackson. But he could earn more playing time in passing situations.

Imagine a line of Watt and rookie Ross Blacklock on the inside and Omenihu and Whitney Mercilus on the outside. Or sub outside linebacker Jacob Martin on the outside and let Mercilus stand up and rush from the middle. Third-year outside linebacker Duke Ejiofor also figures in the equation.

“We’ve got a bunch of talented rushers,” defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said recently. “We have a bunch of guys who are dependable, tough, smart and passionate about ball.

“They’re excited about some of the new things we’re going to do and the places we’re going to put them.”

Omenihu, 6-5, 280, doesn’t turn 23 until August. He’s been residing in Austin and participating daily in the Texans’ virtual offseason program.

“It’s been good, and I’m learning a lot, but I’m ready to play,” he said. “I’m ready to get back on the field and get things going.

“I have high expectations for myself. I want to do more to help the team win. I want to capitalize on the opportunities I missed last year. I want to double up on what I did as a rookie.”

At the University of Texas, Omenihu was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. As a rookie, he learned under Weaver. During his interview sessions with the media last season, Weaver was quick to praise Omenihu’s talent and work ethic. But Weaver always pointed out how much better he thought Omenihu could be.

“He really helped me understand the importance of my run technique,” Omenihu said. “He had me working on both aspects of my game so I can become the best player I can be.

“He also helped me with my mentality as how I should approach the game. He told me I had the ability, but I had to learn how to go out there and use it.”

Watt watched Omenihu develop last season. They’re on daily conference calls with Weaver. At some point, they’ll be on the practice field working together like they did last season.

“Chuck’s working hard,” Watt said. “He wants to make a big jump this year. That’s his goal. I know he’s putting in the work to do that, and I’m looking forward to seeing him progress.”

Even though Weaver was promoted to defensive coordinator, he’ll continue to coach the linemen.

“I was extremely happy for him,” Omenihu said. “I told him how excited I was for him. He’s well-versed in coaching all three levels of the defense. He’ll be able to handle everything that comes with the job and the responsibilities that come with it.

“Weave played the game, and he played the game at a high level. He knows how we feel in every situation because he’s been there. He can relate with the players. He gives us the kind of insight we can respect because he played the game.”

Omenihu sympathizes with the rookies who are learning through the virtual program and have been unable to get the onfield instruction he received last year from the coaches.

“It can be tough for them,” Omenihu said. “They’re learning a lot now, but when they get on the field, they’ll be going against guys with six, seven or eight years in this league, and they’ll just be getting their feet wet.

“It’s important, as a rookie, to see yourself do it on the field and tell yourself, ‘Yeah, I can compete at this level.’ ”

Omenihu learned last year he can compete at the pro level. Now he has to show just how much better he can be in his second season.

“Last year, my main role was to generate a pass rush from the inside and outside,” he said. “I want to be better doing that. I want them to trust me more and eventually find more playing time.

“Based on what I did last year, the plays I made and the flashes of what I could do in the role I had, I was able to see what I was good at and what I need more work on. This year, I’m going to earn everything I get as far as how I’m going to be used on this defense.”