Texans rookie Jalen Pitre accepts veteran praise, knows ‘got a long way to go’

The Houston Texans rookie second-round pick out of Baylor, Jalen Pitre, does not play or act like a typical rookie. Instead, the Texas native is consistently making plays in training camp, garnering praise from veteran teammates and remaining humble all at the same time.

Throughout the first ten days of camp, the Texans’ shining star has been Pitre. The rookie is well-deserving of the first-team defensive reps and starting strong safety job, as listed on the Texans first unofficial depth chart released Tuesday, August 9th.

It has become a daily occurrence for Pitre’s football instincts to shine and Wednesday was no different as he registered a pass breakup over the middle of the field when covering veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

Known for his nose for the football, Pitre has racked up three interceptions in camp practices. His knack for being around the football is due to his freakish athleticism, but also veteran-level of football IQ.

Over a week ago on August 2nd, Texans’ veteran cornerback and fifth year pro, Tavierre Thomas, was complimentary of Pitre’s intelligence. “That’s one of the smartest guys I’ve seen coming in, me going on my fifth year. He’s very smart. You wouldn’t know that he’s a rookie. Like he ain’t make like the little rookie mistakes. He’s going to be real good.”

Fast forward a few days to August 8th, and another veteran cornerback, this time Desmond King, offered his own praise towards Pitre’s ball skills. “What I see out here is what we need in our back end, secondary,” King said. “That’s what we preach: we want to get the ball and we want to get interceptions, turnovers, force fumbles, and he’s been out there doing that.”

The members of the Texans secondary get the closest view on how Pitre is performing; however, that hasn’t stopped defensive linemen from noticing the rookie’s standout performance either.

On Wednesday, fifth-year pro, Rasheem Green, mirrors what his teammates are thinking about Pitre. “There was one play where he dove and caught it (an interception). He’s always a guy that carries himself well around the locker room, in meetings and on the field. I feel like he’s got a bright future.”

The players in Houston are heaping praise on Pitre day in and day out but what’s equally impressive of his play on the field is his mentality off the field.

The youngster is not allowing the compliments to give him a big head, instead, he’s self-aware that he is in fact still a rookie and is looking to learn from the veterans who commend him.

“I want to continue to grow and I want to continue to match their intensity,” Pitre told reporters Wednesday. “I’ve got a long way to go.”

In a rebuilding year for the Texans, emphasis must be placed on developing the young building blocks such as Pitre. By all accounts, the rookie is not a typical rookie, with his development looking as rapid as any Texans’ draft pick in recent memory.

Story originally appeared on Texans Wire