Houston\u2019s first-round pick<\/a>, chose to sing. He sang \u201cLet Me Love You,\u201d by the R&B singer Mario.\u00a0<\/p>\nBut there was a catch. He had to sing it a\u00a0cappella.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So imagine this for a second: Rutledge, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound offensive lineman, with no music to support him, singing \u201cBaby, you should let me love you\u2026 let me be the one to, give you everything you want and need.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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His teammates dug the performance and found it hilarious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had the energy, he had the swagger,\u201d said left tackle\u00a0Aireontae Ersery, who graded Rutledge\u2019s performance a nine out of 10. \u201cBut it was definitely funny to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rutledge, though, was a little more critical. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI did alright,\u201d Rutledge told the Houston Chronicle. \u201cI wish I would have went about 10 seconds longer. Everybody started singing, then I left prematurely. They were giving me a hard time, but I got a lot of claps, so I did alright.\u201d<\/p>\n
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![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Lewis Bond (82) reaches out for a reception against cornerback Brandon Codrington (17) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
<\/p>\n
Houston Texans wide receiver Lewis Bond (82) reaches out for a reception against cornerback Brandon Codrington (17) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (19) dives to make a catch against cornerback Jaylin Smith (22) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) leaps over cornerback Stephen Hall (41) for a catch during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Montrell Washington (16) comes down with a reception against cornerback Brandon Codrington (17) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws a pass during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) throws a pass during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith (22) breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders (14) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith (22) breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Treyvhon Saunders (14) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Lewis Bond (82) comes down with a reception against safety Jalen Pitre (5) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Josh Kelly makes a catch against cornerback Eljah Huzzie (28) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (19) runs upfield after a catch against cornerback Stephen Hall (41) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) makes a catch against cornerback Jaylin Smith (22) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins runs with the ball after making a catch against cornerback Kamari Lassiter (3) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans wide receiver Josh Kelly (85) leaps for a reception during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
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Houston Texans running back David Montgomery (32) makes a catch during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
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Houston Texans quarterbacks Davis Mills (10) and Graham Mertz (18) drop back to pass during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans quarterbacks C.J. Stroud (7) and Davis Mills (10) drop back to pass during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans tight end Cade Stover (8) makes a catch during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
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Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz eyes a football as he makes a catch during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans safety Jaylen Reed runs a tackling drill during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock (2) runs a tackling drill during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock (2) runs a tackling drill during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock (2) hits a blocking dummy during a drill during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans linebackers Jake Hummel (33) and K.C. Ossai (52) run a drill during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans cornerback Tremon Smith (11) hauls in a catch during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter reaches out to make a catch during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans cornerback Stephen Hall makes a catch during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans cornerback Collin Wright makes a catch during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
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Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock reaches down to pick up a loose ball during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock hits a blocking sled during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans safety Kaevon Merriweather reaches down to pick up a loose ball during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans safety Reed Blankenship (6) hits a blocking sled during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans works with linebacker Wade Wood (30) during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (3) and safety Calen Bullock (2) walk to the field during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle![\"Houston]()
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Houston Texans linebacker K.C. Ossai hits a goal post pad while doing handwork during an NFL training camp practice at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s talent show won\u2019t be his only test.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rutledge is trying to prove he is deserving of a starting spot on the offensive line this season, and possibly at center\u00a0\u2014 a position he\u2019s never played in a full game. The Texans began working him out at guard, but he has since played more center in recent practices.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been an adjustment. As the center, the ball starts in his hands as he snaps the ball to the quarterback. He\u2019s responsible for making sure everyone on the offense is on the same page.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Rutledge insists the transition \u201chas been great.\u201d Perhaps thanks to his wife Lauren, who served as his unofficial quarterback before camp to make sure his snaps were perfect.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Now that camp is well into its second week, Rutledge has been on point. He\u2019s had successes and mishaps. And he\u2019s trying to learn from them \u2014 trading advice with the defensive linemen he goes against, and watching film with his coaches after every practice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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In addition to adjusting to pro football, Keylan Rutledge is also getting used to center, a position he didn’t play at Georgia Tech, where he was a guard.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Every moment is a learning lesson and an opportunity to get better. Even the good ones.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He\u2019s put a lot of defenders into the ground with his blocks, and has even got into a few scuffles through the first eight days because he\u2019s often playing through the whistle and sometimes past it\u00a0\u2014 all things he coaches have come to expect and love. One of his shoving matches was against All-Pro edge rusher Danielle Hunter<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\u201cI try to highlight him in our team meetings because that\u2019s what we\u2019re looking for,\u201d coach DeMeco Ryans said. \u201cWhen you have that type of mindset at offensive line, it\u2019s a problem for defenders because you\u2019re just a pest. You can\u2019t get rid of guys and that\u2019s what he is. He\u2019s a nuisance for the defense and that\u2019s what he\u2019s going to be for us and I love every bit of it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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But he\u2019s learning that in practice, against his own teammates, he has to dial it back some.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On one of the first days of training camp, he pancaked linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair about 10 yards downfield and hung over him for a few seconds after.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s just the best of the best competing,\u201d Rutledge said, while also acknowledging he needs to do a better job of protecting his teammates on the defense in practice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Al-Shaair said he wasn\u2019t upset. He understood it, adding that he likes the mentality Rutledge brings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just good because the mentality in general, like pads (or) no pads, he\u2019s just trying to work hard,\u201d Al-Shaair said. \u201cThe thing I always talk to him about is just working smart. That\u2019s a different level of being a pro.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019d rather tell you to slow down or be smart than to tell you, \u2018Hey man, you got to pick it up.\u2019 I feel like seeing him doing that, I got up and I was okay, so I\u2019m not mad at it. I play the game hard too.\u201d<\/p>\n
That relentlessness is part of why the Texans brought him to Houston.\u00a0Ryans wanted to change the mindset of this offensive line from one that rarely defended their quarterback when he was hit late, to one that is mean and nasty and will fight for him, if that\u2019s what it takes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Texans rookie Keylan Rutledge has earned praise from coach DeMeco Ryans and veteran teammates for the snarl he’s brought to an offensive line that lacked it in previous seasons.<\/p>\n
Brett Coomer\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
Rutledge embodies that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He describes himself as a \u201crelentless competitor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of guys want to win. I want to win and dominate,\u201d said Rutledge, the 26th pick in the draft. \u201cEverything I want to do I want to dominate. I\u2019m a perfectionist. It\u2019s not good enough if I just block the guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rutledge didn\u2019t play center at Georgia Tech. His primary position was right guard. But when he was going through the pre-draft process, he knew that preparing at center as well, would give him a better shot at competing for a starting job somewhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He practiced at center during the Senior Bowl, one of the big\u00a0offseason events for draft prospects, to show teams he was versatile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now having done it throughout the spring and into the summer, he says he feels a lot more comfortable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m kind of really enjoying it,\u201d he said. \u201cLearning how different it is than guard, but there are a lot of similarities. And just getting comfortable with the playbook, and obviously snapping the ball has been great.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what he\u2019s most looking forward to this season, Rutledge said he\u2019s looking forward to learning and winning. His accolades matter less. So does the singing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes you\u2019ve got to fail to win,\u201d he said. \u201cJust don\u2019t look at it as a failure. Look at it as a growing process, and growing pains. \u2026 But in the long run, it\u2019s to win. If there\u2019s one thing, I want to go out there and win. It doesn\u2019t matter about my success.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Keylan Rutledge\u2019s first nine days of training camp included bringing a relentless mindset\u00a0\u2014 and\u00a0a rookie talent show in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":402433,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[56,58,57],"class_list":["post-402432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-houston","tag-houston","tag-houston-headlines","tag-houston-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/402432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=402432"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/402432\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/402433"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=402432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=402432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=402432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}