Jul 23, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texans Rookie Impressing Danielle Hunter in Training Camp

Originally posted on Houston Texans on SI | By Jared Koch | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 6:00 PM ET

The Houston Texans officially got training camp off and running earlier last week, with pads finally coming on in practice this week over a month out from next regular season, and already, star pass rusher Danielle Hunter has taken notice of one impressive rookie in his initial practice sample size: second-round offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery–– so much so that he could see some all-time potential in his future.

During an interview with Marc Ross on NFL Network, Hunter broke down a bit of what he's seen out of Ersery early on in Texans camp, emphasizing some impressive technical skills upfront, but also claiming his opportunity to be "one of the greats."

"The biggest thing on tape, man, you can just tell he's a technician," Hunter said, "Once he gets it down, man, you can tell he's got a chance to be one of the greats."

Danielle Hunter on Aireontae Ersery to @MarcRoss on @nflnetwork:

“He’s a technician.. he got a chance to be one of the greats.” pic.twitter.com/3NZFEVst8h
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 30, 2025

Ersery, who was picked up with the 48th-overall pick in April's draft, has already made significant strides in being able to enter his first year in the mix as a starter at the right tackle position. He, along with Cam Robinson, have been the starters early on in camp on the right and left sides, respectively, perhaps hinting at the Texans' hand of their plans heading into Week One.

Feels like the Texans starting OL is coming together early. I’d say we are likely to see this line up week 1 for the Texans:

LT - Cam Robinson
LG - Laken Tomlinson
C - Jake Andrews/Jarrett Patterson
RG - Tytus Howard
RT - Aireontae Ersery

Really just need to decide on a C.
— James Roy (@JamesRoyNFL) July 30, 2025

Ersery comes out of Minnesota as a towering 6-foot-6, 330-plus pounds as a physically imposing protector on the outside. Not only with a sheer physical advantage in his arsenal, but in the mind of Hunter, he also has the technical skills, making for a potentially dangerous combination to place on the Texans' front lines.

It's still early on in camp, with Ersery still having to officially stake his claim as a future starter on this Texans' line, but so far, if you're asking a tenured veteran like Hunter, he's made all the right steps to be a star in the making–– good news for C.J. Stroud and this Houston offense moving forward.

This article first appeared on Houston Texans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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