How Texans rookie Alijah Huzzie completed comeback from torn ACL to first NFL interception: ‘Just being patient’

HOUSTON – The path Texans rookie cornerback Alijah Huzzie traveled from getting hurt at a college all-star game to intercepting his first NFL pass was long and indirect.

Huzzie endured months of grueling rehabilitation work after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during a practice session at the East-West Shrine Bowl. The serious injury cost him a chance to be drafted as he was regarded as a middle-round target prior to suffering the setback.

On Sunday, Huzzie completed a comeback from the injury. He picked off Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Riley Leonard for the first interception of his NFL career. During his convalescence, Huzzie put that time to good use as he absorbed a lot of knowledge from his teammates and coaches.

“Definitely extremely patient,” Huzzie told KPRC 2. “It’s been eight, nine months, strong, just sitting behind guys, watching them, listening, learning, and just being a sponge, like when I’m not being talked to, but just learning, listening, and correcting in my own head. Just being patient, like you said, that’s a strong word for me, just very patient.”

Huzzie played one snap on special teams against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Because the Texans rested injured corner Kamari Lassiter, who’s set to return an AFC wild-card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, due to ankle and knee injuries, it was known that Huzzie was in line for playing time.

The Texans wound up playing him 22 snaps for 34 percent of the playing time. All-Pro corner Derek Stingley Jr. played just four more snaps than Huzzie as he was rested for the playoffs.

The interception set the stage for kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn’s game-winning field goal.

“We were calling it all week,” Stingley said. “We knew he was going to go out there and get the ball. He got it. It was a good moment.”

The moment was electric for Huzzie, a former All-American selection at East Tennessee State who transferred to North Carolina for his final two collegiate seasons.

Huzzie had two interceptions in a win over Pitt last season and returned two punts for 82 yards and a touchdown. At East Tennessee State, he had 179 tackles, 30 pass deflections and a dozen interceptions and was named a first-team All-American.

“It feels amazing, came a long way,” Huzzie said. “Just being able to uphold the standard here and being able to be around these guys and still being able to compete.

“Thankful to the Texans for giving me this opportunity, just letting me heal and bounce back. I’m extremely excited and I’m lost for words right now. I don’t really know what to say, I just want to go celebrate with the fam.”

Huzzie originally signed a three-year, $2.675 million deal with the Texans as an undrafted free agent. He was activated from the reserve-physically unable to perform list in November before finally playing his first game in December against the Raiders.

On the interception, Leonard got shoved by defensive tackle Tommy Togiai. That set up Huzzie’s diving interception and a raucous show of enthusiasm from him and his teammates.

Huzzie lined up at nickel for the pick.

“Just coming in, really just slowing the game down, going through my process and communicating with the people behind me,” Huzzie said. “Then, thank God for the tipped pass from the D-line and I just had to finish the play. I saw it, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, ball, ball!’ I’ve got to get it.

“I was kind of like just overpreparing, learning nickel and corner. You never know what’s going to happen. Just being versatile.”

Now, Huzzie, who kept the interception football, heads to the playoffs as the Texans get ready for the Steelers. He’s a part of the history books with an interception on the top-ranked defense after recording three tackles in the regular-season finale.

“As a rookie, I know it’s probably not common,” Huzzie said. “Especially in my position coming in how I came in and being on a Super Bowl contender going to the playoffs. Just continue to know my role, whatever my role is, executing at a high level and upholding the standard.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com