Texans WR Tank Dell Is 'Joy To Coach'

The Houston Texans have their rookie quarterback in C.J. Stroud, who could be finding a new favorite target in first-year receiver Tank Dell.

Robert Woods, Noah Brown, Steven Sims and Nico Collins are the only four of the Houston Texans' 12 wide receivers that have at least four years of experience.

John Metchie III is returning from his leukemia diagnosis, but rookies Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson are developing in training camp to try and crack the starting receiving corps. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said Dell is "extremely fun" to coach.

“That would be the first thing I have to say about Tank," Slowik said. "He is a joy to coach.”

7️⃣🎯1️⃣3️⃣@CJ7STROUD @Tankdell4 pic.twitter.com/uKMgPdAyw0

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 28, 2023

The Texans used their 2023 third-round draft pick on Dell, who didn't have to travel far from the University of Houston — where he played his final three seasons of college football.

Dell's collegiate career didn't start in Houston, though. For that, you'd have to go to Independence, KS. where he attended Independence Community College in 2019.

"I reflected on my JUCO experience because that was hard. Nights where you wasn't eating, sleeping on a twin-sized bed," Dell said. "When you reflect on that, there’s a moment where you’re just proud of yourself. But at the same time, the job’s not finished. You got to go and prove yourself some more.”

In 10 games, Dell reeled in 52 receptions for 766 yards and eight touchdowns, impressing Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen enough to bring him in for the 2020 season.

In three seasons, Dell hauled in 228 passes for 3,155 yards and 32 touchdowns, which ranked fourth, fifth and third, respectively, in program history, as he is the only pass-catcher in Houston history to have two 1,300-yard seasons. His 109-catch, 1,398-yard, 17-touchdown 2022 season was one of the best ever in Cougars history.

The skills Dell put on display in college are translating to training camp, but Slowik said his attentiveness and willingness to learn are some of his better attributes.

“He’s always listening," Slowik said. "He wants to work. I think I mentioned in the offseason just how hungry he is, how much he prepares, and he knows how much he has to prepare just [in] how different this was in college. And he goes out, and things you talk about he puts on tape, he does. And he’s an elite separator and it shows up.”

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You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419

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