Tulane Football Star Derrick Graham Signs With Houston Texans

The Tulane Green Wave were shut out of the 2026 NFL draft when it comes to the seven rounds of selection, but multiple stars have found their way onto NFL rosters as a result of camp invites and successful workouts. That number rose to include another star on Monday when former left tackle Derrick Graham was signed by the Houston Texans following a good workout, according to KRPC2 Sports' Aaron Wilson.

Graham is a 6-foot-4, 314-pound left tackle who has important ties to the Texans’ coaching staff that may have helped him gain an edge in his workouts. Prior to transferring to the Green Wave, Graham was briefly with the Texas A&M Aggies but previously spent four seasons with the Troy Trojans before following former coach Jon Sumrall and his coaching staff to Tulane. Graham became the first true freshman since 2015 to start for the Trojans in 2020 and eventually became a full-time starter in 2023. While starting as a true freshman, impressively, Graham only allowed two sacks in 423 pass block reps.

He started all games at left tackle in both seasons with the Green Wave that he was healthy, missing one regular season contest last season against Ole Miss. He had put on notable muscle at Tulane’s local pro day and performed well in the testing as well as in on the field situations. But while at Troy, he made a key connection with his offensive line coach in 2022, Cole Popovich, who is now Houston’s offensive line coach and run game coordinator. That likely helped him be seen as the right fit and know that he will respond well to the Texans’ coaching and scheme.

Graham has NFL blood in his veins as he is the son of Derrick Graham Sr., who played nine seasons in the league, first drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round in 1990, and spending time with the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks.

In order to make space for Graham, Houston released former New England Patriots offensive guard Sidy Sow, who Graham should be expected to take the roster spot for following the team’s first week of OTAs.

It’s hard to stick on an NFL roster, but the first, crucial step is making one in the first place. It definitely helps having a more personal connection with the staff like Graham has. That should help him compete and fight for a spot on that final 53-man roster.