Texans corner Jeff Okudah reflects on ‘really competitive’ situation and why joining team was a ‘no-brainer’

CANTON, Ohio – Jeff Okudah is a deep thinker, always looking for the big picture and searching for more knowledge.

The Texans’ veteran cornerback likes to apply that philosophy toward football and life.

Okudah is taking a blue-collar, hungry approach toward his role with the Texans as he competes for playing time. Signed to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $6 million and a base value of $4.75 million with $2.5 million guaranteed, Okudah has made some strides recently in practice. A former third overall pick of the Detroit Lions out of Ohio State, the Grand Prairie, Texas native currently ranks third on the unofficial depth chart behind starters Derek Stingley Jr. and rookie Jeff Okudah.

“It’s been good, really competitive,” Okudah told KPRC 2. “Coming in, it seems like a lot of talent. It takes me back to my college days. You come out here, and iron sharpens iron.”

Traded to the Atlanta Falcons last year in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, Okudah has overcome injuries and adversity since entering the NFL with high expectations as the top cornerback prospect.

After signing a four-year, fully guaranteed $33.528 million contract that included a $21.944 million signing bonus, Okudah ended his rookie season on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury. A year later, he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the opening game against the San Francisco 49ers. Okudah has learned from every setback and it fuels his motivation.

“I try to keep a proper perspective and find a silver lining in an adversity,” Okudah said. “I use that to kind of motivate me and keep moving forward.”

Okudah, signed to a deal that includes a $1.5 million signing bonus and a $2.75 million base salary with $1 million fully guaranteed, played in 13 games for Atlanta last season and had 44 tackles and three pass deflections.

When he was contemplating what to do in free agency, huddling with his agent, Kevin Conner, it wasn’t long before they decided on the Texans.

“Really to be honest, Houston was my best opportunity,” Okudah said. “When me and my agent sat down and looked at it, it was a no-brainer.”

Okudah has recorded 168 career tackles, two interceptions with one returned for a touchdown in 38 career games with 31 starts. He’s striving for improvement, and his coaches are noticing his progress.

“Jeff has done a good job through camp,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s competed. He’s made some plays for us. He’s done a really good job.”

The approach Okudah is following is focused on continual growth.

“Just trying,” he said. “We talk a lot in our team meetings about stacking days. Once practice is over, learning what you can from it and moving on to the next day to try to stack days.

“Just competitive edge, just having fun out there. I think that’s contagious. I try to do my part. I’m going to bring the same energy day in and day out and hopefully spread that contagious energy.”

Having dealt with a significant amount of injuries in the past, Okudah has an extensive routine to maintain his health. He’s in a good place right now, practicing every day.

“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “I think I’ve been able to find a routine that fits me well. Everything under the sun, I don’t want to leave any stone unturned and I try to add to my routine and my recovery modalities.”

Competing against Texans Pro Bowl quarterback and fellow former Ohio State Buckeyes star C.J. Stroud presents a daily challenge for Okudah. It helps him stay sharp.

“Man, it makes you stay on your Ps and Qs,” Okudah said. “Be fundamentally sound and really hone in on all the small details.”

Being back in Ohio after being a consensus All-American for the Buckeyes is significant for Okudah.

“It will be pretty cool,” Okudah said. “I haven’t been to Ohio to play in five years. This is where I grew up in this game. It will be pretty awesome. We’re building. It’s super early, but I think we can do something special on Sundays.”

As a teammate of Lassiter, Okudah sees a ton of potential from the second-round draft pick from Georgia.

“I love the energy,” he said. “He plays with a lot of swagger. That’s going to really bode well for him in his career.”

Stingley intercepted five passes last season and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

“He makes some crazy plays,” Okudah said. “He’s a very talented guy.”

Off the field, Okudah is a video game enthusiast. Especially basketball games and college football. He’s a food truck enthusiast, too, especially street tacos and wings.

“I’m trying to do my due diligence on the food in this area,” he said.

Okudah is determined to make the most out of this experience. He’s under a one-year, prove-it deal, so he wants to make it count.

“Show up every day as my best,” Okudah said. “Don’t take my foot off the gas, get the most out of it.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.