Texans sign rookie free agents

Mike Jones attended Fort Bend Austin High School

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Texans have signed twelve rookie free agents who were not drafted over the weekend.

Per team policy, the Texans won't confirm the signings until the contracts are approved by the league office. 

It could actually be eleven signings since there's conflicting information on one of the players.

Here's the list of twelve per McClain's report:

• RB Jeremiah Johnson, 5-9, 209, Oregon
• RB Arian Foster, 6-1, 226, Tennessee
• FB William Rentmeester, 6-1, 248, Wisconsin  **
• DT Josh Leonard, 6-2, 292, Hawaii
• OT Jason Watkins, 6-6, 318, Florida
• C Charles Helms, 6-2, 286, LSU
• G Brandon Walker, 6-3, 306, Oklahoma
• OT Doug Dedrick, 6-4, 301, Iowa State
• DE Tim Jamison, 6-3, 256, Michigan
• WR Mike Jones, 6-4, 211,  Arizona State
• WR Aubrey Bell, 6-3, 216, Mississippi State
• OLB Toddrick Verdell, 6-3, 222, Florida State

We talked about Johnson and Foster earlier this morning.  The Texans are looking for a dependable running back to complement Steve Slaton, and both Johnson and Foster will be given a chance to see what they can do during Organized Team Activity (OTA) which begins May 18.

The Texans have four OTA sessions which are 'voluntary' on May 18-21, May 26-28, June 1-4, and June 9-11.  They have one mandatory minicamp on June 15-17.

So let's take a quick look at the rest of the signees:

** According to this article on chargers.com, Rentmeester agreed to terms with the Chargers, so I'm not sure about his status.  I'm checking with McClain.  Update:  Confirmed with McClain that Rentmeester signed with the Chargers.

Leonard had a good Pro Day according to this report.

The Texans showed interest in Watkins before the draft according to this article in the palmbeachpost.com

Helms, who goes by the name of Brett, was one of five LSU players to be signed as undrafted free agents per this report in nola.com.

Walker was a three year starter at OU.

Dedrick was a two year starter for the Cyclones according to their official site.

Jamison was apparently hurt by a slow 40 time at the combine and expected to be drafted in the late rounds according to this article on freep.com.

Mike Jones was a two sport athlete in college and is probably very excited to get a shot with the Texans since this is home (he attended Fort Bend Austin H.S.).  Looks like a very good athlete.

Sylvester Croom toyed with the idea of making Bell at safety when he first arrived at Mississippi State.

The Jags were reportedly interested in Verdell, but I guess Toddrick knows who gets the best of that matchup.  Smart kid.  I like him already.