The Texans drafted outside linebacker Reshard Cliett (6-2, 222) from University of South Florida with the 35th pick of the sixth round (211th overall). The USF team captain was selected with the first of two sixth-round compensatory draft picks on Saturday.
"I had a good feeling they were one of the top teams that was interested in me from the visit not too long ago," Cliett said on a conference call Saturday. "They seemed pretty interested in me. I'm just blessed to have this opportunity."
Cliett's sees himself as more of a WILL-type linebacker but was also a four-year contributor on special teams. He also impressed Texans coaches with his football IQ.
"As far as Reshard (Cliett) is concerned, we really like the fact that he ran well, he's a smart guy," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "When he came here to meet with our scouting staff and our coaching staff, we were very impressed with his football knowledge, his recollection of his own defensive scheme from college and then his recollection of some of the things we taught him. We saw a very athletic guy that could be used as a potential sub-linebacker and was a smart guy."
Cliett, who started all 11 games for the Bulls in 2014, had a team-high six sacks and amassed 7.5 tackles for a loss. He saw action in 41 games over the course of his four-year career at South Florida.
