Houston Texans linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill likes the new defense the AFC South club will be deploying in 2021.

Moving on from the 3-4 scheme the team had utilized since 2011, the Texans hired defensive coordinator Lovie Smith to operate a Tampa 2 scheme with a 4-3 front. With a defense that places emphasis on linebackers making plays, Grugier-Hill believes he can play at a high level in the new defense.

Grugier-Hill told reporters on a Zoom call on Thursday that he is enthused to play for Smith.

“It’s a great honor for me,” said Grugier-Hill. “I’m already in love with his scheme, already in love with the way he coaches and his philosophy. Me personally, I think I fit perfectly into it. He likes speed guys. I can run and play the pass and do all that kind of stuff. I’m very excited for the future.”

Grugier-Hill played in 15 games for the Miami Dolphins in 2020, starting in one contest. The former New England Patriots 2016 sixth-round pick from Eastern Illinois collected 28 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, 1.0 sack, and a fumble recovery.

The 27-year-old is also being coached by Smith’s son, linebackers coach Miles Smith, in whom Grugier-Hill sees copious similarities.

Said Grugier-Hill: “I mean, it’s hard not to see Lovie in Miles. I think they’re a little different. They definitely have their own coaching styles. Coach Lovie is a legend. He’s been doing this a long time, so he has his own way. You can see that Miles is definitely trying to do his own style, too. It works.”

An element that is also helping the Texans transition to a new defense is the camaraderie between the linebackers, including Zach Cunningham, Joe Thomas, Tae Davis, Nate Hall, Neville Hewitt, Christian Kirksey, Hardy Nickerson, Kevin Pierre-Louis, and fifth-round rookie Garret Wallow.

“We have a great camaraderie in our room right now,” said Grugier-Hill. “The linebackers are real tight already and I like where we’re going.”