Houston Texans’ Blake Fisher aims for familiarity by learning from veterans

Freshman tackle Blake Fisher’s main goal at rookie minicamp is to get used to his surroundings. Fisher spent his first 48 hours in Houston trying to find his way in unfamiliar territory after living his entire life in Indiana.

“I leave the hotel in the morning and things still don’t look the same and we end up here (NRG Stadium),” Fisher said. “I just want to understand my surroundings and everything, then everything will be fine.”

Fisher may be alone when it comes to learning the Bayou City during his first days as a member of the Houston Texans. But when it comes to learning the X’s and O’s of the team’s on-field philosophy, Fisher will have several veterans to lean on.

He’ll have his former college teammate and close friend Jarrett Patterson there to get a taste of what it’s like to be a pro. The two linemen played two seasons together at Notre Dame. Patterson took on the role of the upperclassman who helped Fisher establish himself as a top college athlete.

But when it comes to his respective position, the chance to learn from established tackles Tytus Howard and Laremy Tunsil excites Fisher.

“Laremy, everyone knows him – he’s a specialist in pass protection – he’s dominant,” Fisher said. “Same goes for Tytus. Really powerful, strong, strong hands. Square in both of their sets.”

After the Texans made the rookie the No. 59 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Howard and Tunsil called to congratulate Fisher — who could spend his first season learning as a reserve.

Fisher believes there is benefit in learning the game behind two valued veterans. He will have the chance to learn from Tunsil, who has been one of the best tackles in the league since being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2016.

Tunsil just completed his fourth career Pro Bowl season since joining the Texans in August 2019. In 2023, he had one of his most productive seasons, giving up five sacks in 877 snaps played. According to Pro Football Focus, Tunsil posted an 85.4 pass blocking grade while playing on an injured knee.

Although Fisher is comfortable playing left tackle, he prefers to play on the right side of the offensive line, a position Howard has held since 2019.

Howard established himself as a suitable right tackle. However, the injury-plagued 2023 season has led to a difficult year for the Alabama State alumnus. A broken hand suffered during the preseason limited Howard to seven games. He allowed one sack in 408 snaps until a knee injury ended his season in November.

“They are versatile in different sets that they use in their game. Smart players and they help others around them,” Fisher said. “They’re two really good guys that I can come in and learn from and obviously get better at because they’ve been doing it for a while.”

Fisher spent the first part of rookie minicamp trying to get familiar with NRG Stadium. While attempting to go to the cafeteria for breakfast, Fisher accidentally walked into the coaching staff room.

Learning how to get around Houston and the team’s facilities will be a daunting task for Fisher. However, getting to grips with his new surroundings will become easier once he is able to walk alongside Howard and Tunsil, guiding the way on and off the training pitch.

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Follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24.