HOUSTON – The Texans have landed Georgia Tech offensive guard Keylan ‘Big Red’ Rutledge, a massive blocker with a nasty streak.
Rutledge was acquired by the Texans after trading up to the Buffalo Bills’ first-round pick at 26th overall in exchange for a trade that nets them the 91st overall selection. They sent the Bills the 28th overall, 53rd overall and 168th overall selections.
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Rutledge recently worked out privately in Georgia for Texans offensive line coach and run game coordinator Cole Popovich, per a league source.
The Texans were intrigued by the physicality and serious approach of Rutledge throughout the draft process. The recent private workout conducted shortly before the draft reinforced their conviction about him as a player and person, per a league source.
Now, Rutledge is a Texan as he joins an overhauled line that includes left tackle Aireontae Ersery, left guard Wyatt Teller, center Jake Andrews, right guard Ed Ingram, right tackle Braden Smith and former Pro Bowl swing tackle Trent Brown.
Rutledge has been called one of the toughest players in recent Georgia Tech football history.
A Middle Tennessee State transfer, Rutledge is 6-foot-4, 316 pounds and has run the 40-yard dash in 5.05 seconds.
He was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at right guard two seasons ago and a third-team All-American last season and all-conference again.
He is known for his power, strength, technique and hard-nosed style.
Rutledg won the Atlantic Coast Conference Brian Piccolo Award as the conference’s most courageous player, in recognition of overcoming serious injuries sustained in a automobile accident in December 2023.
He started all 13 games at right guard and did not allow a sack and surrendered just six quarterback hurries in 872 snaps in 2025.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com