Texans Interested in Small-School CB Ahead of NFL Draft

The Houston Texans appear to be one of several teams bringing in a particular defender from Stephen F. Austin for a visit in the weeks ahead of this year's NFL Draft.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the Texans are hosting Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings in for a pre-draft visit.

Along with the Texans, Demmings is reported to have meetings scheduled with the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts.

He's one of the many local names the Texans have brought in, or are scheduled to bring in, for a pre-draft visit or workout before the draft at the end of April, including Texas A&M defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim and Texas Tech wide reciever Caleb Douglas.

This time, though, they could be looking into Demmings as a potential upgrade for their secondary as someone who can be a target in day three of the draft.

How Can Charles Demmings Fit in With the Texans?

Demmings is a 6'1", 193-pound cornerback who spent the past four years with Stephen F. Austin, gradually finding his way into becoming an intriguing defensive back prospect in this year's draft class.

In his latest 2025 campaign, Demmings landed on First-Team All-Southland Conference after starting in 12 games, also hauling in four interceptions, 18 tackles and five passes broken up throughout the year.

At the combine last month, Demmings ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds and had an impressive 42-inch vertical leap to pair with an 11-0 broad jump.

Those athletic traits, combined with his nose for the ball, certainly stand out to make him worth a look as a selection on day three for Houston to add onto their already-potent core of ballhawks in the secondary.

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks defensive back Charles Demmings (21) intercepts a pass as Jacksonville State Gamecocks take on Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks during the FCS Kickoff at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Jacksonville State Gamecocks lead Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 21-17. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Texans have four selections on day three from rounds four through seven, headlined by their 106th pick in the fourth round, a pair of fifths at 141 and 167, and a seventh at 243. Around this range could be the right spot for Houston to eye another young piece for their secondary.

The Texans' cornerback room is certainly strong at the top. Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter might be the best boundary duo in the NFL to give opposing receivers trouble on a weekly basis. The depth below them, between veteran Tremon Smith and Jaylin Smith returning from his season-ending leg injury in year two, should be able to fill their respective roles solidly as well.

But adding another young cornerback like Demmings into the room who could be the fifth or sixth guy on the depth chart, combined with the other names above them, is an acquisition that can round out this group extremely well, and might be exactly why Houston wants to get a closer look at him in their own building.

Expect the Texans to continue doing their due diligence scouting this year's incoming class of rookies on both sides of the ball in the weeks ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, kicking off on April 23rd in Pittsburgh, PA.

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