HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Texans head coach Lovie Smith had a simple message for Kenyon Green during the pre-draft process.
"I really want Texas guys here," Smith told Green. "We build this thing from the ground up."
Smith and the Texans selected the Humble-native with the 15th pick of Thursday's draft. The meeting with Smith gave Green an idea the Texans were interested and he was excited to hear his name called.
"It's a blessing," Green said. "I'm a hometown kid, so we go on from there, and I'm ready to work. I know where my root's at now, so it's time to work, put my head down and grind."
Green was a three-year starter at Texas A&M. He was selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team after starting 13 games at right guard in 2019, he then moved over to left guard as a sophomore and was a second team All SEC selection. He was an All American selection last season while starting games at both guard and tackle positions.
"It helped me a lot, playing different positions," Green said. "Knowing what I can come in and do my best at, come in and just be a team player, be the best I can be, and just help the team in whatever form or fashion that is."
The Texans did not give Green an idea where they'll play him, but he says playing in the SEC West prepared him for whatever is thrown at him.
"You're playing against great players each week, so it don't get better than that. Going through that every week, it's like a gauntlet, so you gotta be prepared and ready for each battle you have each week."
Green is the third first round pick in the Texans offensive line room, joining Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard.