HOUSTON – The Texans have a tradition of giving undrafted rookies a legitimate shot at making the roster.
That includes star kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and linebacker and special-teams standout Jake Hansen, who initially made the team when Lovie Smith was the coach and signed a contract extension last season under coach DeMeco Ryans.
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Now, the Texans have signed up their annual undrafted rookie draft class.
The additions include an immediate competitor for the punter job.
The Texans signed Syracuse punter Jack Stonehouse after special teams coordinator Frank Ross met with him virtually before the draft. He will compete with former New Orleans Saints punter Kai Kroeger, who was acquired in an offseason trade.
Stonehouse was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and the third-highest graded punter in the nation last seaon. His father and cousin both played in the NFL. He averaged a school-record 47.1 yards per punt with a long of 64 yards, six touchbacks, 25 fair catches. He set a school career record with 45.8 yards per punt average.
Stonehouse went to the NFL scouting combine and East-West Shrine Bowl. He participated in the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers’ local prospect days and met privately with the San Francisco 49ers. A Missouri transfer, his average hang time was 4.29 seconds, fourth in the nation.
The Texans added Ivy League Player of the Year running back Josh Pitsenberger from Yale. Pitsenberger, a team captain, rushed for 1,571 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
Stanford corner Collin Wright joined the Texans after the Missouri City native worked out for them at their local prospect day. The Manvel graduate was a three-time all-state and all-district selection who has 156 tackles and 13 interceptions in high school.
At Stanford, Wright (6-foot, 195) was a defensive captain who had 33 tackles and one interception last season. He returned it for a touchdown against Boston College. He was an all-academic selection.
Missouri corner Stephen Hall signed an undrafted deal that includes $190,000 total guaranteed with a $15,000 signing bonus, per a league source. He recorded 96 career tackles and an interception.
The Texans reached a deal with Oregon running back Noah Whittington. He was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten Conference selection. The Western Kentucky transfer rushed for 829 yards last season and six touchdowns. He averaged 6.4 yards per play. He finished his college career with 2,950 rushing yards and 21 touchdown runs.
The Texans signed University of Tennessee defensive tackle Dom Bailey to an undrafted deal that includes $150,000 of his base salary guaranteed, plus a $10,000 signing bonus.
Bailey had 77 career tackles, eight sacks, 12 1/2 tackles for losses, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles for the Vols.
Illinois State wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz had 1,141 yards and 18 touchdown catches for the Red Birds as they reached the FCS national championship game. He is now a Texan on an undrafted deal.
Iowa State offensive lineman James Neal, a two-year starter for the Cyclones, joins a Texans team that includes former Iowa State standouts in David Montgomery, Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
Incarnate Word wide receiver Jalen Walthall joins the Texans after piling up over 2,000 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in the past two seasons with 155 total catches.
Colgate wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders, who had over 200 catches and 12 touchdowns for his career, agreed to terms.
North Carolina State defensive end Sabastian Harsh joined the Texans on an undrafted deal. A transfer from Wyoming, Harsh recorded 25 career tackles for losses and seven sacks with 138 tackles. He had 7 1/2 tackles for losses and 2 1/2 sacks last season.
South Dakota State offensive lineman Sam Hagen, a right tackle, joined the Texans. He allowed two sacks over his final two college seasons.
The Texans invited Connecticut kicker Chris Freeman to their rookie minicamp, per a league source.
The Texans invited Texas A&M long snapper Jacob Graham to their rookie minicamp. The Memorial High graduate also participated in the Texans’ local prospect day. He patterns his game after former Texans Pro Bowl long snapper Jon Weeks, who is now with the San Francisco 49ers.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com