A first-round guard nicknamed "Big Red," Keylan Rutledge overcame a serious car accident and foot injury to become a first-team All-American at Georgia Tech before Houston traded up to draft him.
Keylan Rutledge's road to the first round ran through a career-threatening car accident that led to a bone infection in his foot, yet he returned to anchor Georgia Tech's offensive line and become one of the top guard prospects in the 2026 draft class. The Houston Texans traded up from No. 28 to select him 26th overall, adding a physical, high-floor interior lineman known for his nasty streak in the run game.
Path to the league
Rutledge began his college career at Middle Tennessee, starting 17 of 22 games and earning first-team All-Conference USA honors in 2023 before transferring to Georgia Tech. His junior season was nearly derailed when a December 2023 car accident left him with a serious foot injury and a bone infection that kept him out of offseason workouts and spring practice, but he returned to start at Georgia Tech in both 2024 and 2025. The Texans traded up from pick No. 28 to select him with the 26th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
At Georgia Tech, Rutledge earned first-team All-ACC honors in both 2024 and 2025, plus multiple All-American selections and the Brian Piccolo Award as the ACC's most courageous player following his comeback from injury. He was also a first-team All-Conference USA selection at Middle Tennessee in 2023.
2025 season recap
Rutledge started all 13 games at right guard for Georgia Tech in 2025 without allowing a sack, surrendering just six quarterback hurries across 872 snaps per Pro Football Focus. He capped the season as a third-team All-American by the Associated Press and a first-team All-ACC selection, production that convinced Houston to trade up for him in the first round.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Keylan Rutledge
- Houston Public Media: Texans trade up to grab Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge at No. 26
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Guard
- Group
- offense
- College
- Georgia Tech
- Hometown
- Royston, GA, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
