By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
He never strayed from his commitment for the 2017. All Jalen Pitre did was keep his head down and get better.
A career that began where many questioned why he would remain loyal to the Bears during a scandalous time reached the ultimate in Friday’s NFL Draft.
The Houston Texans used their second-round draft choice – 37th overall – to select the Stafford native on Friday. That matches high end mock draft expectations that had him among the first picks of the second round.
Pitre’s selection is the highest Baylor selection since the 2016 when Xavien Howard was a second-round pick – 38th overall – by Miami. Wide receiver Denzel Mims went in the second round of the draft to the New York Jets in 2020. Mims was the 57th overall pick.
The 2021 Big 12 defensive player of the year was the only player in the nation with at least three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He also recorded 63 tackles and 12 of those were losses.
He made a name for himself in COVID-19 2020 season in consecutive games at Iowa State and Texas Tech when he returned interceptions for touchdowns.
Pitre’s story was unique in 2016. At a time when the program was going through the aftermath of the sexual assault scandal, every committed player at the time decommitted and went elsewhere. Pitre was the only one who remained when then head coach Matt Rhule was named in December 2016.
Pitre’s growth under new head coach Dave Aranda was exceptional as he embraced the star position and became a playmaker both in the passing game and in run support.
He comes to a Texans team in transition. Houston is now under the direction of former Chicago Bears and University of Illinois boss Lovie Smith. Smith was named on Feb. 7. Smith was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator under David Culley who lasted only one season.
The NFL rookie wage scale has been in place since 2011. According to Spotrac, Pitre is projected to receive a contract worth $8.9 million with a near $3.7 million signing bonus.
Publisher
He never strayed from his commitment for the 2017. All Jalen Pitre did was keep his head down and get better.
A career that began where many questioned why he would remain loyal to the Bears during a scandalous time reached the ultimate in Friday’s NFL Draft.
The Houston Texans used their second-round draft choice – 37th overall – to select the Stafford native on Friday. That matches high end mock draft expectations that had him among the first picks of the second round.
Pitre’s selection is the highest Baylor selection since the 2016 when Xavien Howard was a second-round pick – 38th overall – by Miami. Wide receiver Denzel Mims went in the second round of the draft to the New York Jets in 2020. Mims was the 57th overall pick.
The 2021 Big 12 defensive player of the year was the only player in the nation with at least three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions. He also recorded 63 tackles and 12 of those were losses.
He made a name for himself in COVID-19 2020 season in consecutive games at Iowa State and Texas Tech when he returned interceptions for touchdowns.
Pitre’s story was unique in 2016. At a time when the program was going through the aftermath of the sexual assault scandal, every committed player at the time decommitted and went elsewhere. Pitre was the only one who remained when then head coach Matt Rhule was named in December 2016.
Pitre’s growth under new head coach Dave Aranda was exceptional as he embraced the star position and became a playmaker both in the passing game and in run support.
He comes to a Texans team in transition. Houston is now under the direction of former Chicago Bears and University of Illinois boss Lovie Smith. Smith was named on Feb. 7. Smith was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator under David Culley who lasted only one season.
The NFL rookie wage scale has been in place since 2011. According to Spotrac, Pitre is projected to receive a contract worth $8.9 million with a near $3.7 million signing bonus.
