PHILADELPHIA – Former Northwest Mississippi Community College and Oregon State standout defensive back Treston DeCoud was selected by the Houston Texans with the 25th pick in the 5th round of Saturday's NFL Draft.
The 6-3, 210-pound DeCoud started 21 career games at cornerback at OSU and earned Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention last December. The Covington, La., native made 108 career tackles during his two-year OSU career that included being named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week last September following his two interceptions in the win over Idaho State. He tallied 15 career pass breakups.
"This is a dream come true; a blessing," DeCoud said of being drafted. "My coaches at Oregon State helped me realize my dream; their NFL playing experience created a blueprint for where I am today. I'm very appreciative of all the supporters who helped me get to this point, a place that I have dreamed about for many years."
DeCoud, who participated in the NFL Combine earlier this year, joins a growing class of defensive backs drafted from Oregon State that includes Steven Nelson in 2015 by the Kansas City Chiefs and Jordan Poyer in 2013 by the Philadelphia Eagles, a recent free agent signee with the Buffalo Bills. Since 2006 a total of six Beaver defensive backs have been selected in the Draft and DeCoud is the first Beaver ever selected by the Texans.
"Treston is a smart and physical player with tremendous potential in the NFL," six-year NFL veteran and current Beaver cornerback coach Cory Hall said. "He's a true football player with a love for the game."
DeCoud arrived at Oregon State after spending one year at Chadron State and one season at NW Mississippi Community College, where he was an NJCAA First Team All-American. He graduated from Covington High School in Louisiana.
In his lone season with the Rangers, DeCoud had 38 tackles, two blocked kicks, a forced fumble and tied for the MACJC lead with six interceptions (third in the nation) en route to All-American, First Team All-MACJC and NJCAA All-Region 23 honors. His 13 passes defended also ranked in the Top 15 in the NJCAA.
DeCoud is the 20th all-time draft pick by way of Northwest and first since Daniel Thomas in 2011 (2nd round/Dolphins).
*portions of this story from OSU Athletic Communications
Northwest All-Time Draft Picks
2017 – CB Treston DeCoud, Houston Texans (5th round, 169 overall)
2011 – RB Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins (2nd round, 29th overall)
2001 – DT Willie Blade, Dallas Cowboys (3rd round, 93rd overall)
2001 – DE Colston Weatherington, Dallas Cowboys (7th round, 207th overall)
1999 – DT Cletidus Hunt, Green Bay Packers (3rd round, 94th overall)
1999 – DT Emarlos Leroy, Jacksonville Jaguars (6th round, 182 overall)
1998 – RB John Avery, Miami Dolphins (1st round, 29th overall)
1996 – DB Fred Thomas, New Orleans Saints (2nd round, 47th overall)
1996 – DT Bryant Mix, Houston Oilers (2nd round, 38th overall)
1995 – RS Roell Preston, Buffalo Bills (5th round, 145th overall)
1993 – DT Dan Footman, Cleveland Browns (2nd round, 42nd overall)
1993 – OT Jeff Blackshear, Seattle Seahawks (8th round, 197 overall)
1992 – DT Eddie Blake, Miami Dolphins (2nd round, 43rd overall)
1991 – WR Wesley Carroll, New Orleans Saints (2nd round, 42nd overall)
1990 – DT Cortez Kennedy, Seattle Seahawks (1st round, 3rd overall)
1990 – SS Alton Montgomery, Denver Broncos (2nd round, 52nd overall)
1988 – OT Gerald Perry, Denver Broncos (2nd round, 45th overall)
1988 – DT Roy Hart, Seattle Seahawks (6th round, 158th overall)
1986 – OG Len Burton, Buffalo Bills (3rd round, 77th overall)
1986 – CB John Armstrong, Minnesota Vikings (11th round, 286th overall)
