HOUSTON – The Texans have agreed to terms on a four-year, $9.014 million contract with second-round cornerback Kamari Lassiter, per a league source.
Lassiter receives a $3.376 million signing bonus.
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Lassiter was the Texans’ first draft pick in their rookie class this season after the defending AFC South champions traded their first-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings.
“Kamari provides toughness,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “You talk about energy and the way he plays the game. He loves football. It shows on the tape. It jumps off the tape. He’s a versatile player. He can play inside, he can play outside.
“You just talk about a guy who is a leader, a guy who works hard. He’s everything that our team is about. You talk about everything being relentless and attacking. With the relentless mindset every single day, that’s what Kamari brings.”
Lassiter won two national championships with the Bulldogs.
Lassiter (6-foot, 180 pounds, 4.64 speed in the 40-yard dash) was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection. Lassiter had a foot injury when he tested and normally runs in the 4.5 range.
“We’re drafting football players, we’re not drafting track teams,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. “I know speed is important. I’m not saying speed is not important. We don’t feel that’s an issue for this particular player. When you watch him play in the SEC, you don’t walk away and have that concern.”
Lassiter yielded only 136 passing yards and no touchdowns on 15 receptions off 37 targets last season to rank first in the NCAA among cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus analytics.
Lassiter has a special silver chain with an engraved lock with ‘K3′ stenciled in the middle.
“I call myself The Locksmith,’” Lassiter said. “I pride myself on having stuff on lock. I really wanted to get a lock with the name ‘Locksmith’ on there.”
Lassister intercepted a pass and had 11 tackles as a true freshman.
He had 21 tackles and eight passes defensed last season.
He had 37 tackles last season for an outstanding Bulldogs defense.
“You watch football, and you think you’d fit in and enjoy playing at,” Lassiter said. “I feel like Houston is one of those places. I really fell in love with the coaching staff, just by how wholesome they were. I feel like they were someone I could click with, and someone I could play well under.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.