Here are five things to know about the second of the Texans two fifth-round draft picks, nose tackle D.J. Reader:
1. D.J. Reader missed games in 2015 because of a personal tragedy.
Reader lost his father and took time off for the grieving process, but finished his senior season strong. He even earned a share of Defensive Player of the Game honors in the National Championship game vs. Alabama.
"I've through a lot, from a young kid, people telling me I couldn't do things, going off to college and losing my dad, and just working for everything I've ever gotten and even now still dealing with missing the few games this year," Reader said. "It's a been a big battle but it's something that I dealt with, that I took in stride as a man and it's made me a better person."
2. Reader probably could have played professional baseball.
Reader was a standout baseball player at Clemson. His fastball was clocked in the 90 mph range and he earned team MVP for the Tigers as a junior and senior. He lettered on a Tigers top-25 football and baseball team in one academic year (2012-13).
While watching the NFL Draft, Reader admits he took a baseball bat and practiced some hits to blow off steam and pass time.
3. His mom was an athlete too.
His mother, Felicia, played softball at North Carolina A&T from 1985-88.
4. He looked up to Vince Wilfork when he was growing up.
"Vince is definitely a guy that you look up to, especially playing defensive line, he's done it for so long," Reader said.
5. He has an awesome nickname.
The Texans took Clemson NT D.J. Reader in the 5th round with the 166th overall pick.
