Jackson State NFL player James Houston finishes second in sacks by rookies for 2022
This is not the Detroit Lions fans are used to seeing. These Lions are playing to win.
In the last game of the season and nothing to play for except to keep the Green Bay Packers from making the playoffs, that is exactly what they did. The Lions used great defense and a trick play at Lambeau Field for a 20-16 victory to finish 9-8, their first winning season since 2016.
Detroit started 4-6, and a big part of its turnaround was inserting Jackson State rookie defensive end James Houston on the field in Week 12 against Buffalo. In that game, Houston had a fumble recovery and two sacks of Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen in their 28-25 loss.
JAMES HOUSTON IS DA PROBLEM FOR NFLJackson State’s James Houston is a problem, and making a case for NFL Rookie of the Year
JAMES HOUSTON MAKING NFL HISTORYHow former Jackson State star James Houston made Detroit Lions history in his NFL debut
HOUSTON ELEVATED TO LIONS ROSTERFormer Jackson State football LB James Houston elevated to Detroit Lions active roster
The Lions went 6-1 with Houston in the lineup and just missed their first playoff game since 2016. In Week 17 against the Chicago Bears, Houston sacked Bears’ quarterback Justin Fields three times in their 41-10 win.
After the Bears game, Houston led the NFL in most sacks (8) by a rookie going into the last week of the season. In the finale, teammate Aidan Hutchinson sacked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice and finished as rookie sack leader with 9.5 sacks in 17 games, compared to Houston’s eight sacks in seven games.
“My goal was 10 sacks this year,” Houston said to DetroitLions.com after the season finale. “I got eight. I just have to continue to work to get to that number and beyond.”
Houston said he always believed he could play at a high level in the NFL.
“Yes, I feel like I have dreamed of better,” Houston said. “I always got the highest hopes for myself and I always know what my potential is and what I can do. If I tell you that I did – I did think about it. Maybe not this way, because this way was very special.”
Houston said it has been a whirlwind of emotions and an experience he's glad to have had in Detroit.
“Once I started playing,” Houston said, “once I got the two (sacks) in the first game, I said, ‘I do believe I can play and continue to be on this run and continue to do great things.’”
Houston also added seven tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in seven games played.
"James Houston is a heck of a player," Jackson State football coach T.C. Taylor told the Clarion-Ledger. "He can impact and change games each and every snap. Tremendous, tremendous pass rusher. I knew it would translate to the next level, we saw it here every weekend. He was making plays and getting after the quarterback."
Houston was drafted in the sixth round, at pick No. 217, in the 2022 NFL draft, and Jackson State’s 100th overall draft selection.
He was a member of the 2021 All-SWAC and FCSU Coaches All-American selection and had 70 tackles, 24.5 for loss, 16 sacks, and an FCS-leading seven forced fumbles that season. Houston also had eight quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Detroit Lions' James Houston embraces late-season NFL surge
