Jalen Pitre wants to help the Houston Texans win more than a division title and he’s willing to do whatever to make that thought a reality.
That includes learning a new — yet still familiar — role in DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
Five practices into training camp and Pitre has primarily seen reps at the nickel defender role rather than his safety position. For now, it’s just an idea that DeMeco Ryans has given the third-year defensive back’s flexibility.
Given his success at Baylor when lined up in the hybrid STAR role, the move could be permanent and promising for all sides involved.
“Jalen is very versatile. You talk about a guy who is disruptive when he’s blitzing,” Ryans said Monday. “Disruptive in the pass game, in the running game, so Jalen is moving all around from different places and that’s something that I think will help us defensively.”
#Texans DB Jalen Pitre said he’s here to “help the team in anyway he can” which includes moving to the nickel.
Pitre said there were some similarities between DeMeco’s defense to Baylor’s, where he played the nickel. More similarities than difference.
He won Big 12 DPOY. pic.twitter.com/6BNCwd6KKL
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) July 23, 2024
Pitre, a second-round pick in 2022, became a staple in the Big 12 when lined up closer to the line of scrimmage. During his senior, he logged nearly 500 reps in the slot and posted 75 tackles, including 17 for a loss, while helping Baylor win the Big 12 championship.
Pitre, who won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in the slot, said there are similarities between Ryans’ formation and Dave Aranda’s front Waco. Even though it’s still a work in progress, he’s comfortable moving closer to the line and attacking low.
“I love it,” Pitre said Tuesday. “It’s been fun to play some nickel here in training camp, in OTAs, and I’m all in on the process. Whatever coach DeMeco and his staff want me to do, I’m ready to try to go out there and execute and make plays for this team.”
Jalen Pitre just wants to help the team win. If that means moving around he’s down for it. #Texans pic.twitter.com/XUic4Hr4g1
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) July 23, 2024
The nickel position has to make every tackle while also being attentive in coverage. They must have the chops to run sideline-to-sideline with tight ends, slot receivers and even running backs depending on the formation called.
Pitre, who registered five interceptions and 147 tackles during his rookie season, is up for the challenge. He mentioned that every slot position has an overall base, but the differences come with “execution.”
“I’ve been studying how DeMeco wants our nickel to play, so it’s just understanding the position and the techniques that he wants us to work,” he said. “Just hone in on that every day. Just try to stack them and get better.”
