Washington Redskins Player Profiles: Houston Bates

Position: Outside Linebacker

Height: 6'2", Weight: 244 lbs.

College: Louisiana Tech

Drafted: Undrafted (2015)

#1. Houston wasn't drafted this year and after the draft, he received an invite to a rookie mini-camp.  It wasn't with the Redskins, though.  Houston actually tried-out with the Texans a week before the Redskins rookie mini-camp and was cut.  A week later, he was one of only five tryout players to receive a contract from the Redskins.  He played DE/OLB in college and has been working strictly as an OLB since the college season ended knowing that'd be his best chance to make it in the league.  He was one of 12 LBs at the Redskins tryout.

#2. In his last collegiate game, the Heart of Dallas Bowl against Illinois, Houston racked up 5.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks... just in that one game... against his former team!  He won the MVP award for the game... obviously.

#3. Houston actually received his Bachelor's degree from Illinois before ever transferring to LA Tech.  He was even an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten LB at Illinois in 2013 before his transfer.

#4. He was very impressive at LA Tech's pro day where he ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash.  He performed drills at DE, OLB, and FB to demonstrate his versatility.

#5. Judging from his Twitter page, Houston is definitely a fan-favorite so far.  Check him out @HoustonBates55.

Bottom Line: