The Houston Texans announced today that they have signed fourth-round draft pick LB Xavier Adibi, the third Texans draft choice to sign.

Adibi (6-1, 236), was the 118^th selection in the 2008 NFL Draft from Virginia Tech.  Adibi helped keep the Texans streak alive of taking a linebacker in every draft since the team’s inception.  Houston has taken nine linebackers all-time.

Adibi, a native of Hampton, Virginia, started 40 games during his career at Virginia Tech, recording 291 tackles (133 solos) with eleven sacks.  He caused five fumbles and recovered another that he advanced 35 yards for a touchdown. 

During his senior season, Adibi was the second linebacker in school history to earn first-team All-American honors, joining Mike Widger in 1968.  He started at right inside linebacker, leading the team with a career-high 115 tackles.  He picked off two passes for 71 yards in returns, including a touchdown.  The Hokies’ defense ranked third in the nation in scoring defense yielding a mere 16.07 ppg.   

Adibi was a college teammate of the Texans’ first-round pick, T Duane Brown, at Virginia Tech.  Adibi and Brown were suitemates during their collegiate days in Blacksburg.  It was the second time in Texans history that the team has selected a pair of college teammates in the same draft.  Houston drafted QB Dave Ragone (third round, 88th overall) and SS Curry Burns (seventh round, 217th overall) in 2003.