April 30, 2016
Chicago, Ill.----- San Jose State University football's record-setting running back Tyler Ervin is heading to Houston as the Texans' fourth round draft choice in 2016 National Football League Draft.
Overall, Ervin was 119th selection and the fifth running back named in this year's draft.
"This is such an emotional time. I've been waiting 22 years (for this). It's a dream come true. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity," said Ervin, who added he already has exchanged texts with new Texans' quarterback Brock Ostweiler.
Ervin recalled working out for the Texans after San Jose State's Pro Day on March 18.
The 2015 first-team All-Mountain West running back was one of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision's (FBS) most durable and productive running backs in 2015 finishing second nationally in all-purpose running with a 202.85 yards per game average and 11th nationally in rushing with a San Jose State single-season record 1,601 yards and 13 touchdowns on 294 carries. Overall, the 5-foot-10, 192-pound Colton, Calif., native handled the ball 371 times, third most by a FBS player last season, and scored a touchdown rushing, receiving and on a punt return.
During his San Jose State career, he played running back, slot receiver, cornerback as a freshman, and returned kickoffs and punts. He returned three kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns as a Spartan. In his five seasons, he accumulated a school record 6,146 all-purpose yards.
Ervin is the first San Jose State University running back selected in a NFL Draft in 25 years. His selection as the 119th pick is the earliest for a Spartan since Jarron Gilbert was chosen by the Chicago Bears as the 68th overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Ervin will be rejoining former San Jose State teammate and current Houston Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry. Quessenberry and Ervin were teammates on the 2011 and 2012 Spartan football teams.
"I was a redshirt junior when he (Tyler) came in. He was a skinny running running back who was fast and could move," said Quessenberry, a 2013 sixth-round draft choice of the Texans. "We had some special moments when we were there. I knew he would be special and I'm excited to get him down here. I'm happy to have him as a new teammate.
"He can fit into the Texans' offense. His value here is very few guys (on the team) have one position."
Recent San Jose State University Football NFL Draft selections
| Player | Drafting Team | Year | Round/(Selection) |
| Tyler Ervin, RB | Houston Texans | 2016 | 4th round (119) |
| Akeem King, S | Atlanta Falcons | 2015 | 7th round (249) |
| Bené Benwikere, CB | Carolina Panthers | 2014 | 5th round (148) |
| David Fales, QB | Chicago Bears | 2014 | 6th round (183) |
| David Quessenberry, OT | Houston Texans | 2013 | 6th round (176) |
| Jarron Gilbert, DT | Chicago Bears | 2009 | 3rd round (68) |
| Christopher Owens, CB | Atlanta Falcons | 2009 | 3rd round (90) |
| Coye Francies, CB | Cleveland Browns | 2009 | 6th round (191) |
| Dwight Lowery, CB | New York Jets | 2008 | 4th round (113) |
| James Jones, WR | Green Bay Packers | 2007 | 3rd round (78) |
| John Broussard, WR | Jacksonville Jaguars | 2007 | 7th round (229) |
San Jose State running backs in the NFL Draft since 1960
| Player | Drafting Team | Year | Round/(Selection) |
| Tyler Ervin | Houston Texans | 2016 | 4th round (119) |
| Sheldon Canley | San Francisco 49ers | 1991 | 7th round (193) |
| Johnny Johnson, Jr. | Phoenix Cardinals | 1990 | 7th round (169) |
| James Saxon | Kansas City Chiefs | 1988 | 6th round (139) |
| Bobby Johnson | Kansas City Chiefs | 1984 | 11th round (285) |
| Gerald Willhite | Denver Broncos | 1982 | 1st round (21) |
| Jewerl Thomas | Los Angeles Rams | 1980 | 3rd round (58) |
| Rick Kane | Detroit Lions | 1977 | 3rd round (69) |
| Daryl Jenkins | San Francisco 49ers | 1976 | 17th round (473) |
| Walt Shockley | St. Louis Cardinals | 1969 | 5th round (108) |
| Charley Harraway | Cleveland Browns | 1966 | 18th round (273) |
| Dave Johnson | Baltimore Colts | 1965 | 4th round (56) |
| Bob Bonds | St. Louis Cardinals | 1965 | 5th round (68) |
| Ray Norton | San Francisco 49ers | 1960 | 4th round (46) |