How Post-NFL Draft Evaluation Motivated Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil

After resetting the market at offensive tackle, former Ole Miss star Laremy Tunsil sees a bright future for the Houston Texans.

Laremy Tunsil entered Week 1 angry last season. No, it wasn't because of his ongoing contract negotiations with the Houston Texans. 

No, it wasn't because the AFC South franchise that traded a small treasure chest of draft picks in 2019 to make him their franchise left tackle had won 11 games in three years. 

It was because of an article. Three words described Tunsil's game since being drafted out of Ole Miss in 2016. 

"Very good starter." 

"You know I didn’t like that one," Tunsil said Wednesday after inking a three-extension with the Texans to become the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL for a second time. "That’s what motivated me still to this day. No matter if I’m the highest paid or not, that tweet or that article is always going to motivate me to be an even better player.”

The former Rebels star is now the face of Texans football. In less than two months, Houston likely will add its hopeful franchise quarterback with the No. 2 pick, meaning the three-time Pro Bowler will have to share the spotlight with a rookie. 

Tunsil is fine with sharing the glamor. He likely welcomes it. His quiet demeanor doesn't mesh with mainstream media, and he'd rather let his on-field play do most of the talking, anyways. 

In reality, Tunsil wants to be the face of the Texans in terms of internal leadership, not external exposure. 

"I view myself as the X-factor for this whole entire team and as a mentor for the young guys: Jalen Pitre, Dameon Pierce, Kenyon Green," Tunsil said. "I view myself as a mentor, like a captain. I want to help those guys in any role I can. Whenever they need me, they can hit me up. If they've got any questions, they can hit me up. I'm here for those guys. I'm here for the team."

Houston hopes to turn the corner after a promising offseason. The Texans hired former Pro Bowl linebacker and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as their sixth coach in franchise history. 

Tunsil said that the right head coach could change a culture and believes that Ryans is the ideal person to lead the Texans back to their winning ways.

"This organization is on the uprise, especially getting a guy like DeMeco Ryans, a younger, high-energy guy, and he was actually a player here, as well," Tunsil said. Getting a guy like that coming into this building means a lot. We're trying to get this thing turned around."

The franchise also has been aggressive in terms of free agency. Tunsil said that general manager Nick Caserio was "really cooking" in the free-agent market, signing the likes of tight end Dalton Schultz, running back Devin Singletary, receiver Robert Woods and linebacker Denzel Perryman. The Texans also traded for Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Shaq Mason to fortify their trenches for a young passer to thrive. 

Veteran talent should provide more stability in terms of production, but young prospects will lay the foreground for a promising rebuild. Houston has two first-round picks and five total in the top 75. 

"The sky's the limit for us," Tunsil said. "We can really get this organization back on track and get it rolling. I believe in Nick and the front office to draft the best player in this draft and help us win games."

Tunsil will be the leader of it all. After allowing just one sack in 2022, Ryans and Caserio knew letting him walk was out of the question. 

Last September, Tunsil was angry that someone questioned his status as one of the game's best blindside blockers. This September, he'll be why the market for offensive tackles has to be reset again. 

Not a bad trade-off for a "very good starter."

"I’m excited. I’m ready to get it done," said Tunsil. "Like I said, I view myself as an X-factor for protecting and a mentor for those guys who come in.”

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You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

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