The Clemson connection on the Houston Texans roster is real. And it doesn’t just go through the explosive pairing of Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins.
Young interior defensive linemen D.J. Reader and Carlos Watkins both attended Clemson and were teammates for four years. But their connection started long before that.
They grew up in North Carolina and got acquainted in their high school days — though they didn’t play at the same school.
“I think our friendship going back to high school, we hold each other to a high standard,” said Reader on Monday at Houston Methodist Training Center.
As youths, Reader and Watkins held each other accountable. But a younger mindset isn’t as wise or responsible as an older one.
“Sometimes, being kids, we let that standard slip,” said Reader. “But being adults, me and him hold each other to a pretty high standard.”
The two have gone from friends in North Carolina to teammates at Clemson to professional athletes in Houston. Though much has changed and they are playing the sport at the highest level, they continue to help each other strive. It doesn’t hurt that Reader is a fan of Watkins’ game.
“We’re on each other a lot, and I expect great things from him,” said Reader. “He’s a great player, great person and he’s going to do his job.”
