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Texans LB Earns Praise from Draft Classmate

The Houston Texans are a team that supports each other regardless of being on offense or defense.

Jeremy Brener

Mar 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama linebacker Henry To'Oto'O (LB31) speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama linebacker Henry To'Oto'O (LB31) speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Houston Texans linebacker Henry To'oTo'o and wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson were both Day 3 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, and they have remained supportive of one another ever since.

Both of them were able to carve out roles in their rookie year, and that's expected to grow as they get into their second seasons.

"I mean, we help each other, just by keeping each other really present," Hutchinson said of To'oTo'o. "I think it’s very easy for yourself to lose focus or lose sight of what you’re really here for at times. And I feel like me and him really bounced each other off. If he was having a bad day, I tried to pick him up. And if I was having a bad day, he tried to do the same. So, Henry’s my guy. He’s not only just my locker mate, but that’s a real true friend for me. So, I wish him nothing but the best, for sure.”

READ MORE: Texans Rookies Reveal Number Changes

A rookie year in the NFL can be a busy one, but now as they enter their second seasons in the league, they can see the day-to-day life slow down a little bit.

"I think last year was hard for a lot of us as rookies, just because you didn’t know what was going on," Hutchinson said. "Just to really see him be more himself, be more comfortable in what he’s doing on the field. And really just having that confidence, I feel like it’s shown. He’s not second thinking himself. And he’s really just playing off just natural ability, which you love to see. I really feel like that’s where he kind of took the step to his next game.”

Hutchinson, To'oTo'o and the Texans are preparing to play in their season opener on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Kickoff is set for 12 noon CT.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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