As a rookie for the Houston Texans, running back Damion Pierce rushed for almost 1,000 yards before a season-ending injury sidelined him in December.
At that time, he had 939 rushing yards with three touchdowns to his name, along with 165 receiving yards on 30 receptions and a touchdown -- all over a span of just 13 games.
And heading into Year 2, he is pushing to be even better, both for himself and for his team.
"I'm always trying to work," Pierce Wednesday said at Houston Texans Teen Club. "I'm just trying to take it in and be the best I can be because I know the better I am, the better everybody around me is going to be. And vice versa. Just try to have that good infectious energy in the locker room and around the building."
Pierce also seems to be a great fit under newly hired head coach DeMeco Ryans, who has been one of the first to acknowledge his young back's passion and intensity on the gridiron.
"I love his energy," Ryans said. "I love his personality, and I love his aggressive nature and how he runs the ball. When I talk about swarming, and I talk about an aggressive, attacking mindset, that's Dameon Pierce."
Pierce appreciates that he and Ryans are on the same page about that type of mindset.
He is also hoping that, plus his eagerness and efficiency will equate to the rebuilding franchise getting better and better each day - and will help attract other like-minded players to Houston.
"It's good to hear a head coach that wants to play intense, that wants to play fast and physical, but also under control at the same time," Pierce said. "I'm pretty sure he's going to bring guys around this program that can do just that."
The Texans have already been busy this offseason trying to build that philosophy, recently signing wide receiver Robert Woods and bringing 'Ryans guys' on defense in Jimmie Ward and Hassan Ridgeway, plus a plethora of other moves.
And that philosophy will continue into the NFL Draft this April, where Houston owns a pair of first-round picks at No. 2 and No. 12.
There's still plenty to be done between now and then though, and the Texans are putting in the work.
Want even more Houston Texans news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
More must-reads: