Offensive lineman Xavier Su’a-Filo goes 33rd overall to Houston Texans

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He had to wait a day, but the best offensive lineman in recent UCLA history now knows his professional destination.

Xavier Su’a-Filo became the 33rd overall pick of the NFL draft on Friday, going to the Houston Texans as the first pick of the second round. Although talk of a potential first-round selection didn’t materialize, Su’a-Filo remains the highest-drafted Bruin offensive lineman since Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden, the fourth overall pick in 1996.

The 6-foot-4, 307-pound Su’a-Filo was a versatile piece for UCLA, who shuttled him along the left side of the line. As a true freshman in 2009, he started 13 games at left tackle before leaving on a two-year Mormon mission. In 2012, he returned to start 14 games at left guard, his more natural position due to his value as a pulling run blocker.

Last season, he started seven games at left guard before injuries on the offensive line forced him to left tackle for the remaining six games. He was named a second-team AP All-American and also won the Morris Trophy, given to the most valuable offensive lineman in the Pac-12 as voted on by opposing defensive linemen.

Su’a-Filo is only the second UCLA offensive lineman drafted since 1999, when Outland Trophy winner Kris Farris went 74th overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jeff Baca broke the drought last year, when he became the Minnesota Vikings’ sixth-round selection.