Derek Stingley Jr. is headed to Houston.
The All-American cornerback from LSU was selected by the Houston Texans with the No. 3 overall pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft.
Even with by being hampered by injuries, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Stingley Jr. had a decorated career playing for the Tigers.
Stingley Jr. made an immediate impact as true freshman starter on LSU’s undefeated national championship team, as he became the first true freshman in Tigers history to start every game as a rookie.
Stingley Jr. would record 38 tackles, 6 interceptions and 21 passes defended. He would go on to be selected as the Southeastern Conference Newcomer of the Year, earned first team All-SEC honors and was a consensus All-American.
The Dunham School star also earned All-America and All-SEC First Team honors in 2020. His 2021 season was cut short after the first three games due to a foot injury.
It is the fourth straight year in which a LSU star is selected in the Top 5 of the NFL Draft. Stingley Jr. joins Ja’Marr Chase (No. 5 in 2021), Joe Burrow (No. 1 in 2020) and Devin White (No. 5 in 2019).
Stingley Jr. is also the first LSU defensive back selected in the first round since Jamal Adams was taken No. 6 overall by the New York Jets in 2017.