Texans cornerback Jeff Okudah reflects on a “really competitive” situation and why joining the team was a “no brainer”

CANTON, Ohio – Jeff Okudah is a deep thinker, always looking for the bigger picture and gaining more knowledge.

The veteran Texans cornerback likes to apply that philosophy to football and life.

Okudah is taking a blue-collar, work-hungry approach to his role with the Texans as he competes for playing time. Signed to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $6 million and a base value of $4.75 million with $2.5 million guaranteed, Okudah has made some strides recently in practice. A former third overall pick by the Detroit Lions out of Ohio State, the Grand Prairie, Texas, native currently sits third on the unofficial depth chart behind starters Derek Stingley Jr. and rookie Jeff Okudah.

“It’s been good, very competitive,” Okudah told KPRC 2. “Coming in, it seems like there’s a lot of talent. It reminds me of my college days. You come here and iron sharpens iron.”

Traded to the Atlanta Falcons last year for a fifth-round draft pick, Okudah has overcome injuries and adversity since entering the NFL with high expectations as the top cornerback prospect.

After signing a four-year, fully guaranteed $33.528 million contract that included a $21.944 million signing bonus, Okudah finished his rookie season on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury. A year later, he tore his Achilles tendon in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. Okudah has learned from each setback, and it fuels his motivation.

“I try to keep a proper perspective and find the positive side of adversity,” Okudah said. “I use it as motivation and to keep moving forward.”

Okudah, who signed a deal that includes a $1.5 million signing bonus and a $2.75 million base salary with $1 million fully guaranteed, played in 13 games for Atlanta last season and had 44 tackles and three pass deflections.

When he was considering what to do in free agency, meeting with his agent, Kevin Conner, it wasn’t long before they decided on the Texans.

“Houston was my best opportunity, to be honest,” Okudah said. “When my agent and I sat down and looked at it, there was no hesitation.”

Okudah has recorded 168 career tackles, two interceptions and one returned for a touchdown in 38 career games, 31 of them starts. He’s striving to improve and his coaches are noticing his progress.

“Jeff has done a good job during camp,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s competed. He’s made some plays for us. He’s done a really good job.”

Okudah’s approach is focused on continued growth.

“I’m just trying,” he said. “We talk a lot in our team meetings about accumulating days. Once practice is over, you learn what you can from it and move on to the next day to try to accumulate days.

“Just the competitiveness, just having fun. I think that’s contagious. I try to do my part. I’m going to bring the same energy day in and day out and hopefully spread that energy.”

Okudah, who has had to deal with a significant number of injuries in the past, has an extensive routine to maintain his health. He is now in good shape and practices every day.

“I feel really good,” she said. “I think I’ve been able to find a routine that suits me well. Everything under the sun, I don’t want to leave anything undone and I try to add to my routine and my recovery modalities.”

Competing against Texans quarterback, former Pro Bowler and former Ohio State Buckeyes star CJ Stroud presents a daily challenge for Okudah. ​​It helps keep him sharp.

“Man, it makes you focus on your principles,” Okudah said. “Be fundamentally sound and really focus on all the little details.”

Being back in Ohio after being named a consensus All-American for the Buckeyes is significant for Okudah.

“It’s going to be great,” Okudah said. “I haven’t been to Ohio to play in five years. This is where I grew up in this sport. It’s going to be awesome. We’re in the middle of preparing. It’s very early, but I think we can do something special on Sundays.”

As a teammate of Lassiter, Okudah sees plenty of potential in the second-round draft pick out of Georgia.

“I love the energy,” he said. “He plays with a lot of swagger. That will bode well for his career.”

Stingley intercepted five passes last season and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

“He makes some incredible plays,” Okudah said. “He’s a very talented kid.”

Off the field, Okudah is a video game enthusiast, especially basketball games and college football. He is also a fan of street food stalls, especially tacos and chicken wings.

“I’m trying to do my due diligence when it comes to food in this area,” he said.

Okudah is determined to make the most of this experience. He has a one-year contract to prove himself, so he wants to make it count.

“Just showing up every day and doing my best,” Okudah said. “Not taking my foot off the gas, making the most of it.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.