Texans' Henry To'oTo'o 'Blessed! Rookie Diary, Chapter 1

To open a six-part series called 'Rookie Diary,' Henry To'oTo'o says he is "blessed" ahead of his first regular season with the Houston Texans.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans were an aggressive team during the 2023 NFL Draft. They made nine selections throughout the seven rounds — several picks came by the result of a trade.

Henry To'oTo'o was one of the prospects the Texans traded up for. They traded seven spots with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire To'oTo'o at pick No. 167. Four months later, the wager placed on the rookie linebacker from Alabama has already started to pay off.

Veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman described To'oTo'o as "quiet and eager to learn." Although he has taken it upon himself to be a mentor to To'oTo'o, Perryman said working alongside the 22-year-old has also been a personal learning experience.

"Henry is in a really good spot for us right now," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "He’s improving, he’s doing a really good job of communicating the defense, we ask a lot of the MIKE linebackers to communicate on defense. I’m pleased with where Henry is."

To'oTo'o's production had been one of several reasons behind the defense's uptick in play at camp. He consistently displayed the same skill set that made him the intriguing prospect who recorded 205 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one pass deflection in college. 

He is entering his rookie season with great pride in his Samoan and Tongan heritage, while living by the motto "Faith, family and football."

To'oTo'o is the fourth defensive prospect the Texans drafted from Alabama over the last two years. His former teammates, John Metchie III and Christian Harris, began Houston's trend of acquiring Alabama prospects during the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Can you describe what it means to be a few weeks away from your first regular NFL season? I am sure you were one of millions of kids who dreamed of playing in this league someday.

"Honestly, it's a blessing. It is a testament to my parents by how they raised me and the sacrifices they made. I am just blessed. And from here on out, I am going to try and make the most of it."

You have only played in preseason games as of now, but what was that moment like when you walked into the locker room and saw your name on the back of an NFL jersey?

"It was crazy — this is something you always dream of and want to happen. There are kids who look up to you when you have that name on the back of your jersey. So, to have that, it made me super-excited. Every time I see my name when I step onto the field, whether practice or a game, I'm like, 'let's do it!'"

What is it like to be one of the youngest and inexperienced players in the linebacker room?

"It is great — to be around guys with so much knowledge of the game. You are able to soak up their experience and learn from the guys. With me being so young and new to the game, I'm at a stage right now where I can grow and compete, especially in the linebacker room. There are so many guys I can learn from."

What does it mean to have DeMeco Ryans be your first head coach, someone who has played this game at its highest level as an All-Pro (2007) and two-time Pro Bowler (2007 and 2009)?

"It's a blessing — this kind of stuff rarely happens. To have a guy like that and to be able to learn from a coach like that, one who has experience and knowledge about the game, I soak up his teachings every single day."

Coming up on your rookie season, are there any goals you can share?

"I am a team player. I believe with team success comes personal success. I love to put the team first. I think if I am able to do that and do my part on this team, I'll be able to achieve my biggest goal."

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