Every year, ESPN.com does an assessment of the young, under-the-age-of-25 core group for all 32 NFL teams. In fact, they dropped this season’s edition of this list on Tuesday, and for the second straight season, the Houston Texans are at the top of the list.

Now, the main thrust behind the Texans’ place on this list is clearly the thunderous arrival of C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson, both just 23 years old, in 2023. Each was the Rookie of the Year on his respective side of the football in 2023, and each had good (Stroud) to great (Anderson) seasons in 2024. Once the two of them age out off this list, the Texans will likely fall back to the high-middle part of the pack.

Or perhaps not. Maybe the Texans can maintain a ranking among the top half dozen or so teams with good young talent. GM Nick Caserio drafted pretty well last season, with cornerback Kamari Lassiter, labeled a “blue chip” player in the above linked ESPN article, being the crown jewel of the team’s 2024 draft class.

With that in mind, who are the under-25 players on the roster that might continue to fortify the strength of the young core of the Houston Texans? I’ve got my list below. Before you read it, just know that I’ve had my  eyes on every snap of training camp thus far, so my opinions here aren’t just guesses or blind faith. I’ve seen the progression of all these players. So, based on training camp so far, here are some youngsters to keep an eye on:

5. WOODY MARKS, rookie running back
With Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce both still nursing injuries, it’s opened up all sorts of reps for backup running backs. I wanted to put Jawhar Jordan, 6th round pick from last year’s draft on this list, but he’s already turned 25, so I’ll include Marks, the rookie out of USC, drafted in the 4th round in 2025, and expected to make an impact in the passing game out of the backfield. Marks has had some good reps both running and catching the ball thus far, since the pads have gone on.

4. CALEN BULLOCK, 2nd year safety
With Bullock, another USC product, it almost feels like cheating to put him on this list, since he ended last season as a starter and recorded five picks (and could have had five more, if he’d just had better hands). For whatever reason, though, the ESPN article doesn’t include Bullock as a “blue chipper,” so I’ll take advantage of that and say that, barring injury, he’s a lock to be categorized as one in 2026.

3. JAYLIN NOEL, rookie wide receiver
2. JAYDEN HIGGINS, rookie wide receiver
I’m Including both of these guys in the same bullet point, since their stories are very similar, even if their physical stature is completely different. Higgins and Noel have been perpetually underrated players, both coming out of Iowa State. The Texans need one, or preferably both, of them to make an impact this season, with the team finishing last year with a massively depleted wide receiver room. Both have flashed noticeably in camp, a good sign that Nick Caserio may have found his next set of second and third round receiver gems in the draft.

1. CADE STOVER, 2nd year tight end
On the day that Caserio drafted Stover, back in 2024, he was effusive in his praise for the tight end out of Ohio State. It’s hard to get Caserio to gush about any rookies, let alone a rookie drafted in the fourth round, but Caserio used the word “elite” to describe some of Stover’s traits. Stover had some nice moments in his rookie season, but was inconsistent. Now, in 2025, he’s been one of the most improved players in camp, drawing further praise from Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans. Stover has spent significant snaps with the first string offense in camp. He’s going to be fun to watch this year.

Listen to Sean Pendergast on SportsRadio 610 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays. Also, follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/SeanTPendergast, on Instagram at instagram.com/sean.pendergast, and like him on Facebook at facebook.com/SeanTPendergast.