Troy Hairston II joins Houston Texans as undrafted free agent
Birmingham, MI. senior Troy Hairston II sacks the quarter back for Toledo on Sat. Oct. 16 during the homecoming game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. CMU beat the Toledo Rockets 26-23.
Although he didn’t receive a call during the 2022 NFL Draft, defensive lineman Troy Hairston II will join the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent after walking on at Central Michigan.
During the Chippewas’ 2022 Pro Day, Hairston recorded 30-reps on the bench press while running the 40-yard dash in 4.76 seconds. In addition to going through defensive line drills, he also tried out at tight end and fullback.
Measuring 5-foot-10 and 231-pounds, the Birmingham native joined the Chippewas as a linebacker in 2016. In two seasons under then-head coach John Bonamego, Hairston recorded five total tackles and a forced fumble.
When Jim McElwain took over as head coach, Hairston transitioned to defensive end. Beginning as a backup, he made the most of his opportunity when starter Amir Siddiq got hurt, recording 28 total tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
In the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Hairston began to build a buzz. Through six games, he led the Mid-American Conference in sacks with 5.5 and tackles for loss with 12. Hairston finished the year with a career-high 41 tackles, earning him MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors and a first-team All-MAC selection.
Hairston’s dominance continued in 2021, as he once again received first-team All-MAC honors after shattering all of his previous season-highs. In 12 games, Hairston recorded 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and 50 total tackles while forcing four fumbles.
