Henry To’oTo’o Embraces Confidence for Second NFL Season

Houston Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o is gearing up for his second NFL season with renewed confidence. After a rookie year in which he recorded 61 tackles but also missed 12, To’oTo’o is focusing on improving his tackling skills. Despite his struggles last season, only two players in the NFL had a higher missed-tackle rate than To’oTo’o’s 16.4 percent—Minnesota Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans and New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden.

Reflecting on his rookie performance, To’oTo’o acknowledged his tackling difficulties. “Everyone knows tackling was a challenge for me last year,” he admitted. “This offseason, I really concentrated on refining my angles and improving my tackling technique. It’s been a significant focus in training camp, and I’m hopeful it will pay off on game days.”

But tackling isn't the only area where To’oTo’o believes he's made strides. He points to a boost in his confidence as a key factor in his development. “Confidence is crucial in this league,” To’oTo’o said. “I’ve been working on maintaining a high level of confidence every day, trusting in my skills, and contributing to the team’s success. Having linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair as a mentor has been invaluable. He’s provided great guidance, and I’ve been trying to model my preparation after his practices.”

Al-Shaair, who joined the Texans as a free agent after a standout season with the Tennessee Titans, has been instrumental in To’oTo’o’s growth. With 163 tackles in 2023, Al-Shaair brings extensive experience and leadership to the team. “He’s been a tremendous asset,” To’oTo’o noted. “He understands what it takes to excel, both physically and mentally. I’ve been learning from him and trying to mirror his routines because he’s shown what success looks like.”

The Texans’ linebacker corps, featuring To’oTo’o, Al-Shaair, and Christian Harris, another former Alabama player, is set for the season. Harris has been sidelined with a calf injury for much of training camp, but To’oTo’o is optimistic about the benefits of his experience. “Having played last year and getting more reps this season will only enhance my learning and experience,” he said.

As a rookie, To’oTo’o participated in 14 games, starting six, and played 436 defensive snaps—43 percent of the team’s total—as well as 192 special-teams plays. “Henry has been consistently reliable this season,” Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans commented. “He’s in the right positions, communicates well with Azeez, and contributes significantly to our defense.”

The Texans will continue their preseason preparations with their second game at noon CDT on Saturday, facing the New York Giants at NRG Stadium.