The 2025 NFL Draft may be over, but teams around the league are not done adding to their roster. The Houston Texans made nine selections in the draft and used the ensuing days to sign undrafted free agents and send invites for the rookie minicamp. With plenty of roster spots still up for grabs, the Texans made another addition on Wednesday.
Per their official social media account, the Texans announced that they claimed undrafted rookie linebacker Jackson Woodard off waivers.
We have claimed Jackson Woodard via waivers. pic.twitter.com/IRb98AfAIy
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 7, 2025
Texans Claim LB Jackson Woodard Off Waivers
After not being selected during the 2025 NFL Draft, Woodard was signed by the Seattle Seahawks. Yet, following four days with the team, he was waived. The Texans didn't waste any time before bringing in the UNLV product.
Woodard spent three seasons at Arkansas before entering the transfer portal at the end of the 2022 season. He then spent two seasons at UNLV, emerging as a team leader.
With the Rebels, Woodard started in 28 games, registering 124 solo tackles, 26 tackles for loss, six sacks, and five interceptions. After his productive final season with UNLV, Woodard won the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year award.
He was also a finalist for the NFF James Campbell Trophy, given to the top college football player with the best combination of academics, leadership, and on-field performance. He became the first UNLV player ever to be nominated for the award.
Woodard will now try to carry the excellence he demonstrated at college to the pros. He will be competing with the likes of Nick Niemann and Jake Hansen for a roster spot, and whether he will be able to impress the coaching staff remains to be seen.