The Texans selected University of Texas running back D'Onta Foreman with their third-round pick (89th overall). Foreman (6-0, 233) rushed for 2,028 yards as a junior last season and received the 2016 Doak Walker Award.
"When we were ready to pick, Rick (Smith) had it exactly the way it was – he was the best player on the board," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "He was the guy that we had ranked the highest at that point in time and Rick made the decision to go do it and I was all for it. He's a good football player, very productive in college."
"At 233 lb, Foreman forced a lot of second and third level defenders into business decisions," Texans analyst John Harris said.
Foreman started 10 games in 2016 and finished his career with a school-record 13 consecutive 100-yard rushing games. The Texans met him at this year's NFL Combine, but Foreman's performance at the local pro day impressed the Texans.
"Very impressed with our running back," general manager Rick Smith said Friday. "We had our local pro day and he came and worked out. A lot of times some of the higher projected prospects shy away from the local workout. One of the things that was impressive about that young man was that he came and he wanted to compete and he got in the drills and he did a great job and showed us that he was ready and willing and excited to be a Houston Texan. So, we're excited that he is."
Foreman also earned consensus first-team All-America distinction last season, becoming the first Longhorn to do so since Ricky Williams in 1998. During his three seasons at Texas, Foreman rushed for 2,782 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Check out some of the best shots of RB D'Onta Foreman from his time at Texas.
