Sporting blond-colored twists to decorate his growing dreadlocks, imposing Texans inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney's personal style embodies the popular coaches' mantra of playing the game as if his hair was on fire.

Shadowing fast running backs out of the backfield and receivers on the perimeter of the defense, McKinney has provided mobility and a nasty streak to one of the top defenses in the league.

Standing nearly 6-5 and having bulked up to 263 pounds while listed officially at 246 pounds on the roster, McKinney cuts an intimidating figure at the line of scrimmage.

"B-Mack is a special player," Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler said. "He's physically imposing, too. When you line up across from him on the field, you know where No 55 is at. He's extremely talented, very athletic."

"He can stop the run game. He can plug holes. He can shed blocks, but he can also cover backs out in space. So, that makes him an extremely special football player."

Heading into his second NFL season, the former Mississippi State consensus All-American has displayed a relentless nature since the start of training camp. He's bullied running backs that have crossed his path.

McKinney squared up and took aim at Texans running back Lamar Miller at the start of camp, delivering a punishing shoulder tackle to stop him shy of the end zone. During a physical drill where the defense excelled, McKinney was among the leaders as he reacted instinctively to the football.

"You get to see who wants to be out there," McKinney said. "I love hitting anyone. I love flying around and having fun. As a defense, we all love hitting. We love flying to the ball.

We have juice, we're going to always have juice. We're just trying to make our way to the top and be a dominant defense."

Room for improvement

A year into his NFL career, a lot of growth is expected from McKinney.

The Texans want to utilize McKinney more this year as a pass rusher on blitzes. He's been learning the nuances of pass coverage to the point where he's expected to be part of game plans in nickel packages.

With 4.65 speed in the 40-yard dash and a 401/2 inch vertical leap, McKinney is one of the most athletic players on the defense.

"I'm stronger and I'm definitely bigger," McKinney said. "I feel like I'm faster and have more knowledge about the game. I can control my body a little bit more. I feel good. I got a little taller. I'm still getting better. God has blessed me."

Although McKinney didn't take up yoga like some of his teammates did this offseason, he has made a conscious effort to improve his flexibility to be able to chase down offensive players.

"I worked my butt off," McKinney said. "I got a lot looser, so I wouldn't be tight and could guard tight ends and running backs."

Where McKinney has upgraded his game particularly is by becoming a more instinctive player who flows freely to the football now.

"Definitely a much improved player," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's gotten better from where he was at this point last year, not thinking as much now. He's really out there reacting, understanding the defense. We require our linebackers to have a lot of knowledge, great communication skills. He has that. We're looking for him to have a really good year."

Humble beginning

Drafted in the second round last year and signed to a four-year, $5.345 million contract that included a $2.147 million signing bonus, McKinney wasn't always so heralded.

Growing up in Tunica, Miss., a casino town of roughly 1,000 residents with a few stoplights and a single McDonald's, McKinney was the oldest child of Nona McKinney, a casino group sales employee, and Willie Washington, a chef and former high school quarterback.

"Benardrick was a quiet, well-mannered child," Nona McKinney said. "If he set his mind to something, he was going to do it. He was a little tough on himself in high school. If he made a mistake, it all fell on him. He was the quarterback and the leader. Growing up, people were drawn to him."

Although McKinney was a star quarterback at Rosa Fort High School while doubling as a linebacker and punter who was also the center on the basketball team, his lone Division I scholarship offer was from Mississippi State.

Years later, his mother is still shaking her head that Ole Miss overlooked him.

"I'm sure they're sorry they didn't offer him a scholarship," Nona McKinney said. "Ole Miss would have been closer to home. I'm sure they're disappointed they let him get away."

And the Texans are overjoyed at the growth they're witnessing from McKinney.

Hit the ground running

After starting 11 of 14 games last season and recording 68 tackles, seven for losses and one sack as a rookie, much more is anticipated from McKinney this year.

"He does a lot of different things for us," O'Brien said. "He helps us obviously as a starting inside linebacker. He can play on third down, can cover people, blitz and he's very good on special teams. An important part of the team."

During a key win over the Indianapolis Colts last December that propelled the Texans to the AFC South division title, McKinney had seven tackles, a sack and two tackles for losses. He also helped stonewall veteran running back Frank Gore, holding him to just 44 yards.

"He did a nice job for us," said Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel, a former All-Pro linebacker with the New England Patriots. "He's working hard, learning, getting better. We do expect a lot from B-Mack."

No slowing down

At Mississippi State, McKinney became the program's first All-America linebacker since 1999. He finished his career with 244 tackles, 19½ for losses, 71/2 sacks and six fumble recoveries.

The Texans traded up to the Cleveland Browns' spot to draft him 43rd overall, exchanging second-round picks and also sending fourth- and sixth-round picks to Cleveland while receiving a seventh-rounder.

"It doesn't surprise me," said SiriusXM NFL analyst Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys general manager who visited Texans camp Tuesday. "I thought he'd be a first-round pick. People were a little concerned, not about his ability, but about whether he can play all three downs. He's probably not the fastest linebacker, but he's got great recognition."

As the protégé of Texans veteran middle linebacker Brian Cushing, McKinney operates as a fast thumper in the middle of the defense. Whereas a year ago, he was primarily a run-stopping presence, McKinney is expected to expand his game this fall.

"Yeah, I'm going to be able to do it all," McKinney said. "I'm going to follow Cush's lead, fly around and make a lot of plays for the defense and help us win some games. I'm going to try to make some big hits."