Who is the G.O.A.T. to wear No. 90 in a Texans’ uniform?
The Houston Texans are less than 100 days away from kicking off the 2025 season in Los Angeles against the Rams at SoFi Stadium and we’re counting down the days until a victory ensues on the west coast.
Texans Wire will each day tell you which player has worn the number of the day leading up to kickoff and pick the player who ensured the number best during their time at NRG Stadium. As for today, let’s take a look at who has won No. 90 since the inaugural season in 2002.
Texans players to wear No. 90
No. 90 currently belongs to Sheldon Rankins, who returned to Houston on a one-year deal after being released by the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this offseason. He was Houston’s best interior run defender in 2023 for a unit that finished top 15 in run defense en route to a first AFC South division title since 2019.
Rankins nearly signed a long-term deal with the Texans following his 7.5 sack season, but the Bengals offered more. Following a lost season in the AFC North, Rankins hopes to be a long-term member of the Texans’ success to close out his career, though Tim Settle is currently wearing his No. 98, so No. 90 will have to do for the upcoming campaign.
While Rankins wears No. 90, he’s only going to be in for a season, therefore eliminating him from being the best player to don the number. That doesn’t mean the jersey hasn’t been worn by some talentend prospects over the years.
- DL Sheldon Rankins (present)
- DE Ali Gaye (2023)
- DT Taylor Stallworth (2022)
- DT Ross Blacklock (2020-2021)
- LB Javedon Clowney (2014-2018)
- DL Terrell McClain (2012)
- DE Mario Williams (2006-2011)
- DL Jason Davis (2005)
- DL Terrance Martin (2003)
- DL Shawn Worthen (2002)
Best Player: Mario Williams
Clowney was one of the league’s best run-stoppers during his five seasons in Houston, but Williams did it all. The NC State product quietly rose up draft boards into the No. 1 spot in 2006 and never looked back. Over his six years, Williams racked up 48 sacks, 85 tackles for loss, 10 forced fumbles and nine pass breakups.
While the success carried over to Buffalo, resulting in a six-year contract, Williams helped the Texans become a promising team with realistic expectations. He was also the first star defensively on the line before J.J. Watt arrived in 2011.