Training camp has been a reunion for a position coach and a young player.
For the first time since the Houston Texans hired Chris Rumph as outside linebackers coach, the former Texas Longhorns assistant coach for defense/defensive line was able to reunite with a kid he recruited from Rowlett High School in 2014, Charles Omenihu.
“What a wonderful young man,” Rumph said. “Besides being a really good football player, he’s a great young man who comes from a really, really good family. I’m excited to get back with him. When I saw him for the first time the other day, I was just amazed at how much he’s grown.”
Omenihu is a 6-5, 280-pound edge defender the Texans selected in Round 5 of the 2019 NFL Draft. The former Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year collected 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in his rookie year.
“He was just a big, tall, lanky, skinny kid and now he’s grown into a young man,” said Rumph. “He looks really good and I’m excited for him. The sky is the limit for him.”
One of the reasons why Omenihu was able to make an impact with the Texans in 2019, and give hope for his future development, is due to his playing with a chip on his shoulder.
Said Rumph: “Once you get to this level here, you have to have something that is pushing you every day and something that is pushing you towards that goal. Not only being the best on the team but being the best in the league. I think Charles, along with a bunch of other guys, have that ‘why.’ I’m glad that he does have that chip on his shoulder and I’m glad to see that he is pushing towards his goals and his dreams.”
The Texans are getting back a big piece of their pass rush in J.J. Watt, who is returning from a torn pectoral injury that sidelined him for the final eight regular season games. If Watt can return to his All-Pro form with Omenihu taking another step in his development, Houston will have a formidable pass rush that will worry offensive coordinators all season.
