HOUSTON – Aiden Fisher wasn’t a heralded high school recruit at James Madison University, choosing the Dukes over Old Dominion.
Flash forward and Fisher is an NFL linebacker as the Texans’ seventh-round draft pick.
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How that happened is a testament to his talent and work ethic.
Fisher was recruited by Curt Cignetti to transfer to Indiana when the coach was hired. He emerged as the leader of the national champion Hoosiers’ defense, earning All-American and All-Big Ten Conference honors.
Now, Fisher is off to a strong start with the Texans.
The Texans see upside with Fisher, who was the green dot for the Hoosiers as their designated defensive signal caller in communication with the coaching staff.
“What I liked about Aiden Fisher, you put on the tape and you instantly see a guy who’s a great communicator,” said Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, a former Pro Bowl linebacker. “You see him pointing, talking, directing traffic. That’s something you don’t see a lot in college football.
“You can see a guy who’s very sharp. He understands the entire defense of how the puzzle fits together. So, a really smart football player, made a ton of plays there in Indiana to lead them to a national championship. I’m excited to add another tough, smart, dependable football player to our team.”
A two-time All-American and a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection, Fisher recorded four tackles and a sack in the Hoosiers’ national championship win over Miami.
The Texans have signed seventh-round linebacker Aiden Fisher, an All-American and All-Big Ten Conference selection for the national champion Indiana Hoosiers, to a four-year, $4.507 million deal that includes a $127,568 signing bonus.
“He’s a reactive and instinctive player that plays fast,” Cignetti said. “Very dependable, smart player and he’s in the right place. He’s where he’s supposed to be, which is what playing football is all about.”
Fisher has run the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds with 37 1/2 inch vertical leap, a 10-3 broad jump and bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times.
The approach to football from Fisher is simple, and blue-collar.
“Very hungry,” he said. “I’m just trying to prove something. I’m going to work my butt off. I’m going to be the hardest worker in the room. Whatever role you give me, I’m going to embrace it and I’m going to run with it. And I’m going to do my best to be the best at it.”
And that’s what Fisher did at both of his college stints. He recorded 113 tackles, six for losses and an interception before entering the NCAA transfer portal.
At Indiana, he was on the Butkus Award watch list.
His experience with Cignett, at JMU and Indiana, was life-changing.
“The amount of things I’ve learned from coach Cignetti and that entire staff, what I’ve learned from my teammates, it’s changed me for the better,” Fisher said. “Being able to take away different things in football, but in life is more important to me. I’ve learned how to be a better teammate.
“I’ve learned how to be a better leader. And that’s why I’m here today. I’ve been able to try to elevate other people’s games while also improving mine. Unbelievable journey. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Although Fisher isn’t the biggest or fastest linebacker at 6-foot-1, 232 pounds, he plays the game with intelligence and toughness.
“That’s kind of the story of my life,” Fisher said. “Nothing’s been given to me easy. I’ve worked for everything that I’ve had. I’ve worked harder than anybody. I put more time in than anybody. I’m ready to do it again.
“I have no doubt in my mind I’ll be successful at it, to be able to put my head down and be as humble as possible and just hungry to learn, to work, and impact the football team to win some football games.”
Fisher had an informal meeting with the Texans at the NFL scouting combine before follow-up calls with them on Zoom.
Playing for a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the leader of the NFL’s top-ranked defense is something Fisher is embracing.
“I’m pumped up,” Fisher said. “I cannot wait to get to work with DeMeco Ryans. Unbelievable player, I remember watching him growing up, and then being able to play for him is one thing. When you have a defensive coach that is always innovating the defense and kind of has a hand in it, it’s going to be an unbelievable experience.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com