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Home , Alex Okafor, Brian Robison, Henry Melton, John Chiles, John Harris (safety), Juaquin Iglesias

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS • 1963, ’69, ’70, 2005 BIG 12 CHAMPIONS • ‘96, ‘05, ‘09 SOUTHWESTTEXAS CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS • 1920, ’28, ’30, ’42, ’43, ’45, ’50, ’52, ’53*,

LONGHORNS ’59*, ’61*, ’62, ’63, ’68*, ’69, ’70, ’71 , ’72, ’73, ’75*, ’77, ’83, ’90, ’94*, ’95 (*co-champs)

Athletics Media Relations Department • P.O. Box 7399 • Austin, TX 78713-7399 • Office: 512/471-6036 • Fax: 512/471-6040

TEXAS TO OPEN 123RD SEASON: The became one of only six players in school Texas Longhorns will open their 123rd sea- history with at least 1,000 receiving yards 2015 PRESEASON son, including second under the direction in a season with 1,051. Nine of the 10 of head coach , on Saturday, departing offensive and defensive starters NOTES Sept. 5 when they travel to Notre Dame in a were either selected in the 2015 NFL Draft meeting of two of the winningest programs or signed as free agents. William Russ and in college history. The teams will face each Michael Davidson each served as the No. 1 other for the 11th time and first since 1996. punter last season, and both were seniors. WHAT’S INSIDE... Russ ended his career No. 4 on the school’s STARTERS RETURNING: Texas wel- all-time punting average (42.35) chart, with pg. 1 2015 pg. 8 Horns in the comes back starters at 11 positions, includ- all of his 66 attempts occurring last season. Schedule NFL ing six on offense and five on defense. pg. 1 Quick Facts pg. 9-57 Player Bios There are 10 offensive players who started BREAKING DOWN THE 2015 SCHED- pg. 1 Horns pg. 58-69 Coaches Bios a game in 2014 back in the fall, including ULE: UT will play eight of its 12 games At-A-Glance pg. 70-83 2014 offensive linemen Sedrick Flowers, Marcus this season against teams that reached pg. 2-3 Roster Statistics Hutchins and Kent Perkins, who each start- a bowl game in 2014. Those eight bowl pg. 4-8 Notes ed all 13 games. There are 12 defensive teams all registered at least seven wins. Last pg. 6 By The players back who had starts in 2014, includ- season, Texas played nine teams that were Numbers ing three with 10 or more. in bowl games in 2013. As in most years, Duke Thomas started all 13 games, safety Texas will play a challenging nonconfer- Dylan Haines had 12, and ence schedule, with Notre Dame and Rice notes as of Aug. 18 Hassan Ridgeway 10. The Longhorns also both reaching bowl games a year ago. UT return place-kicker Nick Rose. will also face Cal, a Power 5 Conference CONNECTING WITH THE HORNS team that missed the postseason by only Twitter:______@Longhorn_FB STARTERS LOST: The Longhorns will one game. Texas opens the season at Notre ______@Strong_TexasFB have to replace 11 offensive and defen- Dame, as two of the top three winningest Instagram:______Longhorn_FB sive starters, as well as their punter. The programs in history meet. Facebook:__ www.facebook.com/TexasLonghorns defense was hit hardest with six start- ______www.facebook.com/utfootball Notre Dame holds an 8-2 series advantage, ers having departed, four of whom were YouTube:______having won the most recent game, 27-14, __ www.youtube.com/user/TexasLonghornsVideo taken in the 2015 NFL Draft. Two of in 1996 in Austin. Longtime Southwest them - DT Malcom Brown and LB Jordan Conference foes, Texas and Rice will meet TEXAS ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS Hicks - earned All-America honors in for the first time since 2011, the same sea- 2014. Brown, a consensus first-team All- son the Longhorns last faced Cal. Assoc. AD for Media Relations: TBA American, was also a finalist for both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top Asst. AD for Media Relations: Scott McConnell Texas • 2015 Opponents E-Mail: [email protected] defensive player) and Outland Trophy Opponent Bowl, Result 2014 Record (nation’s best interior lineman). Texas also Notre Dame Music Bowl, W 8-5 Assoc. Media Relations Director: Joe Hernandez lost Quandre Diggs, a four-year starting Rice Hawai’i Bowl, W 8-5 E-Mail: [email protected] cornerback, Cedric Reed, California None 5-7 a two-time All-Big 12 player, and two- Oklahoma St. Cactus Bowl, W 7-6 Asst. Media Relations Director: Shawn Nestor year starting safety Mykkele Thompson. In TCU Peach Bowl, W 12-1 Oklahoma Russell Athletic Bowl, L 8-5 E-Mail: [email protected] addition to starting Malcolm Kansas St. , L 9-4 Brown, the offense lost two of its starting Iowa St. None 2-10 wide receivers in Jaxon Shipley and John Kansas None 3-9 Harris. Shipley ended his career third on W. Virginia Liberty Bowl, L 7-6 the UT all-time receptions list (218) and Texas Tech None 4-8 sixth in receiving yards (2,510), and Harris Baylor Cotton Bowl, L 11-2 4 2015 Texas Football Media Guide • Notes SECOND SEASON UNDER STRONG: He went on to complete 224 of 384 passes ing recruits. Brandon Hodges, Tristan Texas is set to begin its second season (58.3 percent) for 2,409 yards. Swoopes Nickelson, Garrett Thomas and Connor under the guidance of Charlie Strong. Last threw for more than 300 yards in three Williams enrolled in classes in January season, the Longhorns overcame a 3-5 games, which is tied for fourth on the UT and added depth and competition dur- start to the season to reach their 53rd bowl single-season list. Heard, who led Guyer ing practice. “It’s always good when you game in program history. Prior to his stint High School to state titles as a junior and get depth, when you add four guys to the at Texas, Strong spent the previous four senior, served as the backup last season, group, because it just helps now when seasons as Louisville head coach, re-ener- though he ended up redshirting. “What you go out to practice, you just don’t wear gizing a program that had a 15-21 record in happens is they push each other and get down a group,” head coach Charlie Strong the three years prior to his arrival. He post- better and better—that’s what you want said in the spring. “Now you have some ed a 37-15 record, which included a pair to see,” Strong said after spring practice guys you can practice and go develop and of Big East Conference Championships ended. “We didn’t have that issue last year, get better.” (2011, 2012). Strong was named Big but it’s good that we have that problem East Coach of the Year in both 2010 and now. Now, you just have a chance to watch LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENTS AT 2012, and led the Cardinals to four bowl two of them go out and compete each and WIDEOUT AND TIGHT END: The appearances with three wins. In his final every day.” Texas receiving corps is going through two years, Louisville was the nation’s an overhaul with the departure of starting fourth-winningest program, posting a 23-3 STARTING O-LINE BACK IN 2015: wideouts John Harris and Jaxon Shipley, record (88.5 percent). Prior to his stint at The Longhorns hope to benefit in 2015 and tight end Geoff Swaim. Last season, Louisville, Strong was a long-time success- from playing a number of inexperienced Harris (68 for 1,051) and Shipley (59 for ful defensive coordinator, spending four offensive linemen last season. Four of the 577) ranked 1-2 on the team in both recep- years at South Carolina (1999-2002) and five starters - LT Marcus Hutchins, LG tions and receiving yards. Swaim only seven at Florida (2003-09). Sedrick Flowers, C Taylor Doyle and RG caught 10 passes, but was a key cog in the Kent Perkins - from last season are back, NCAA FBS • Most Wins 2012-13 running game with his blocking skills, along with Jake Raulerson, who started 1. Florida State______26-2 which helped him get taken by in five games (four at center/one at right 2. Ohio State______24-2 the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft. tackle). Flowers and Perkins have the most Alabama______24-3 The Longhorns return players who pro- 4. Louisville______23-3 experience as each played reserve roles duced just 32 percent of the receptions and Oregon______23-3 in 2013. But Hutchins saw his first-ever 30 percent of the receiving yards. Senior Stanford______23-5 action along the offensive line last season, Marcus Johnson is the most productive and Doyle played only a handful of snaps receiver remaining on the roster, having COMPETITION AT QUARTERBACK: during 2013. The loss of senior center posted a combined 49 catches for 663 One year after starting 12 games at quar- Dominic Espinosa (broken foot) in the receiving yards in 2013-14. Daje Johnson, terback when starter David Ash went opening game last season was a major blow a senior, has also shown flashes of his down with an injury in the opener, junior as he was the only returning o-line starter explosiveness, but was limited to just six Tyrone Swoopes saw stiff competition from 2013. But last year’s offensive line games last season. However, in his career, from redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard in eventually started to come together when Daje Johnson has scored on an 84-yard the spring and that is expected to con- Doyle took over as the starting center in the run, a 70-yard reception and an 85-yard tinue into preseason practice. Head coach sixth game. Flowers was the lone offensive punt return. There are also a number of Charlie Strong said Heard had ‘really lineman to start at the same position in all other options with junior Jacorey Warrick closed the gap’ heading into the Orange- 13 games, though Hutchins had one start and sophomores Dorian Leonard, Lorenzo White Scrimmage. “It’s good that you have at right tackle and the final 12 at left tackle. Joe and Armanti Foreman seeing the most competition because that makes both of Last season, freshmen Elijah Rodriguez, time last season. Foreman and Joe were the them better,” Strong said. Swoopes played Terrell Cuney and Alex Anderson all red- most productive of that group, each regis- sparingly in six games as a true freshman shirted and now hope to add depth to the tering 10 receptions. Converted fullback during 2013 before being inserted into the unit. This spring, the returning group was Alex De La Torre, along with sophomores starting lineup in game two last season. buoyed by the addition of four incom- Andrew Beck and Blake Whiteley, will look to replace Swaim. De La Torre, a senior, has been a solid blocker. Beck began last NCAA ALL-TIME TEAM RECORDS year as a before moving to tight YEARS RECORD PCT. YEARS WINS end in the preseason where he proved to 1. Notre Dame____126____882-310-42_____.732 1. Michigan______135______915 be a capable blocker in his reserve role. 2.. Michigan______135____915-328-36_____.729 2. Notre Dame____126______882 Whiteley redshirted in 2014 after transfer- 3. Boise State______47_____ 408-155-2______.724 3. TEXAS______122______881 ring from Arizona Western Community 4. Ohio State______125____863-319-53_____.720 4. Nebraska______125______874 College where he played one season, but 5. Oklahoma______120____850-317-53_____.718 5. Ohio State______125______863 emerged as the No. 1 JUCO tight end in 6. Alabama______120____851-324-43____ .716 6. Alabama______120______851 the nation. Senior Dominic Cruciani will 7. TEXAS______122____881-346-33____ .712 7. Oklahoma______120______850 provide depth at tight end. 9. USC______121____805-327-54____ .702 8. Tennessee______118______811 8. Nebraska______125____874-361-40____ .701 9. USC______121______805

www.TexasSports.com 5 NO GRAY AREA: Texas will have to in the spring. Gray will be joined in the LINEBACKER JOBS OPEN: Texas spent replace running back Malcolm Brown, backfield by returning tailback D’Onta the majority of 2014 in a two-linebacker who ended his career as the ninth-leading Foreman who played sparingly last season set and both of those productive players rusher in school history (2,678 yards) and as a true freshman, but showed promise have departed. and Steve started all 13 games in 2014, but senior before injuring his hand and missing the Edmond were the top two tacklers on Johnathan Gray has been a key part of the final two games. the team last season. Hicks, a 2014 sec- offense the last three seasons. Gray ranks ond-team All-American and third-round 15th on the UT career rushing list (2,118), CHANGES ALONG THE DEFENSIVE choice by Philadelphia in the 2015 NFL but that total could be higher had he not LINE: Texas will have a tough time replac- Draft, collected a career-high 147 tackles, suffered an Achilles injury which caused ing All-America defensive tackle Malcom tied for the seventh-highest total on the him to miss the final four games in 2013. Brown, who ended up being a first-round UT single-season list. Edmond chipped in He played all 13 games in 2014 and rushed pick of New England in the 2015 NFL a career-best 131 tackles from his middle for 637 yards to go with a team-high Draft, but two experienced and talented linebacker spot. He had 323 career tackles, seven , but said this spring he players should help ease the transition. which was just 23 shy of the UT all-time didn’t feel all the way back until the West Desmond Jackson, a fifth-year senior, top 10. Seniors Dalton Santos and Peter Virginia game on Nov. 8. Gray also catches returns after missing nearly all of the Jinkens, and junior Timothy Cole have the ball well coming out of the backfield. 2014 season with a foot injury. He started the most experience on the current roster. He had a career-high 20 receptions last the first three games at defensive tackle Jinkens has 11 starts in his career and season. “If you block people for him he’s before lisfranc surgery on his injured foot Santos has nine. The Longhorns were thin one of those guys that can open up and ended his season after three games. Hassan at linebacker during the spring as Santos run and he doesn’t mind running behind Ridgeway stepped into his spot and per- missed the second half with an injury, his pads,” head coach Charlie Strong said formed admirably alongside Brown, who though they were fortunate one of the went on to earn consensus first-team All- six early enrollees was linebacker Malik Jefferson, among the more-highly regard- TEXAS BY THE NUMBERS America honors and was named a finalist for the both the Nagurski Trophy and ed prospects nationally in the 2015 sign- 4: Four of five starters return on the offen- Outland Trophy. Brown led the team in ing class. Jefferson’s talent was on display sive line: LT Marcus Hutchins, LG Sedrick sacks with 6.5 and Ridgeway was second in the Orange-White Scrimmage when Flowers, C Taylor Doyle and RG Kent Perkins. with 6.0. Head coach Charlie Strong calls he posted six tackles, one forced That group has accounted for 52 career starts, Ridgeway “a mainstay in the middle.” and a pass breakup. Edwin Freeman, who with all but two occurring last season. Flowers , who saw time as a true fresh- scooped up the Jefferson forced fumble and Perkins each started once in 2013. Jake man in 2014, junior Paul Boyette Jr. and and returned it for 33 yards for a touch- Raulerson also started five games last year as a junior Alex Norman should also expect down, is a converted safety who redshirted redshirt freshman. Center Dominic Espinosa to see time in the defensive tackle rota- last season. “They are two very athletic was the lone returning offensive line starter ,” head coach Charlie Strong heading into 2014. tion, along with redshirt freshmen Chris Nelson and Jake McMillon, who moved said. 5: The Longhorns return five of their top back to defensive tackle in the offseason. six rushers from last season, though the lone McMillon served as a reserve offensive departure is leading ground gainer Malcolm Brown. He posted 708 rushing yards and lineman last season. Cedric Reed will be ended his career No. 9 on the UT all-time list another difficult player to replace. The (2,678). two-time All-Big 12 defensive end record- UT ALL-TIME RECORDS ed 29 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks during 8: The Longhorns have eight of their top 15 Overall (122 years)______881-346-33 (.712) his final two seasons. Naashon Hughes, tacklers back from last season, but only one Home______507-129-13 (.791) among the top seven. Dylan Haines was third Shiro Davis and Caleb Bluiett split snaps Away______273-143-10 (.653) on the team with 86. at the defensive end spot opposite Reed. Neutral______101-74-10 (.573) Davis started the first three games in 10: Texas returns 10 of the 15 players who vs. Ranked Opponents caught a pass in 2014, but will have to replace 2014 and Hughes seven of the last eight. its top two receivers. John Harris posted 68 Juniors Bryce Cottrell and Quincy Vasser All-time*______132-142-8 (.482) catches for 1,051 receiving yards and Jaxon also figure to garner some playing time Home______48-41-4 Shipley had 59 receptions for 577 yards. in the fall. Cottrell played in nine games Away______38-47-0 15: Senior Johnathan Gray ranks No. 15 on last season and Vasser joined the team in Neutral______46-53-4 the school’s all-time rushing list (2,109). January from Navarro College where he Ranked matchup______109-79-5 was a second-team JUCO All-American in As the higher-ranked team+______71-34-2 Duke Thomas (10) and Dylan Haines (7) 17: 2014. Redshirt freshman Derick Roberson As the lower-ranked team+______38-46-3 accounted for 17 of the team’s 41 pass break- * as ranked by either The AP Poll or Coaches Poll ups (41.5 percent) last season. missed the spring with a shoulder injury + both teams ranked but is expected back in the summer. 18: Texas has just 18 seniors (14 scholar- W/L vs. unranked opponents (since 1936) ship), on its roster. All-time*______487-119-7 (.801) 176: Over the last nine years, Texas has the Home______273-52-2 most Academic All-Big 12 selections of any Away ______186-59-3 team in the conference with 176. Neutral______28-8-2

6 2015 Texas Football Media Guide • Notes RELOADING IN THE SECONDARY: cornerback position which was manned by (2007-08/DL), Mississippi Cornerback Quandre Diggs, a four-year Diggs and Thompson the last two seasons. State (2004-06/DL) and Baylor (1999-2001/ starter, and safety/nickel corner Mykkele DC/LB). During his time at LSU (2009-14), Thompson, a two-year starter, were select- ROSE RETURNS, PUNTER JOB OPEN: Haley coached 10 defensive linemen select- ed in the 2015 NFL Draft, but senior Duke Place-kicker Nick Rose is back in the fold ed in the NFL Draft, including a pair of Thomas, junior Dylan Haines, sophomore for his senior year, but the Longhorns are in first-round picks in DT Michael Brockers Jason Hall and junior Adrian Colbert search of a new punter with the departure of (No. 12 overall in 2012) and DE Barkevious return as starters in the secondary. Thomas William Russ and Michael Davidson, who Mingo (No. 6 overall in 2013). Danielle has started the last two seasons at corner- were both seniors last season. Rose connect- Hunter was selected in the third round back. He led the team in pass breakups (10) ed on 14 of 21 field goals in 2014, including of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Minnesota and was tied for second in 7 of 11 on attempts of 40 yards or more. Vikings, extending LSU’s streak of years (3) in 2014. Haines was a pleasant surprise He was also a weapon on kickoffs, with with at least one defensive lineman picked last season, climbing the depth chart begin- 44 of 61 attempts (72.1 percent) going for in the draft to 12. ning in the spring. The former walk-on was touchbacks. Texas will also need a replace- inserted into the starting lineup at safety in ment for deep snapper Nate Boyer, who 2015 RECRUITING CLASS the second game and ended the year with served in that role the last three seasons. The Longhorns added 27 newcomers, includ- a team-best four interceptions, plus seven Junior Kyle Ashby has experience, having ing six who enrolled in the spring, in the 2015 pass breakups (second on the team). His served as the snapper for punts during 2013. recruiting class. 86 tackles were third on the team and are Sophomore Mitchell Becker handled most Offensive line (six), defensive back (five) the most among returning players. Hall of the punting chores in the spring, though and linebacker (four) were positions that have and Colbert split time at one of the starting sophomore Matt Simms had one attempt in the most incoming players. The Longhorns safeties. The hard-hitting Hall registered 49 the Orange-White Scrimmage. Freshman stayed within the state of Texas for 19 recruits tackles and Colbert tallied 20. Junior Bryson Michael Dickson should also figure into the and had three from the state of Florida. There Echols and sophomore Antwuan Davis mix at punter. Russ and Davidson combined was also one each from California, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and New York. are with playing experience. for a 42.3-yard punting average last season. “We know this – the state of Texas will Sheriod Evans will not play this season due Russ dropped 33 percent of his punts (22 of always be our home ground,” head coach to a knee injury after being sidelined last 67) inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Charlie Strong said on National Signing Day. year. Echols started once last season and “We will always build it from this state. There has played in 26 career games. Davis played STAFF ADDITIONS: There were three are great high school coaches in this state. in nine contests last year, mostly on spe- adjustments to head coach Charlie Strong’s That’s what it’s all about. We will always know cial teams. Cornerback should get a boost staff following his first season: this, any time we need to go out of state where from redshirt freshmen John Bonney and • Brick Haley joined the staff in February we can get into battles, I don’t mind going Jermaine Roberts Jr, as well as a number as defensive line coach. He spent the last outside the state to get in a battle. That’s what it’s all about; that’s what recruiting is all about. of incoming freshmen. Bonney was praised six seasons as LSU’s defensive line coach. We knew we were not going to back down.” in the spring for his grasp of the nickel His resume also includes stops with the Pos. Player DB______Kris Boyd LONGHORNS ACTIVE IN THE NFL WR_____John Burt TE______Devonaire Clarington As of Aug. 18, there were 44 former players , Washington Redskins (LB) DB______Davante Davis on NFL rosters and three coaching in the NFL Derrick Johnson, (LB) P ______Michael Dickson Cullen Loeffler, (LS) DB______DeShon Elliott Emmanuel Acho, (LB) Colt McCoy, Washington Redskins (QB) LB______Breckyn Hager , Chicago Bears (LB) , (DT) DB______Holton Hill Chykie Brown, (CB) Roy Miller, Jacksonville Jaguars (DT) OL______Brandon Hodges* Curtis Brown, (CB) Alex Okafor, (LB) RB______Tristian Houston Malcolm Brown, St. Louis Rams (RB) , (LB) LB______Malik Jefferson* Malcom Brown, (DT) Adrian Phillips, San Diego Chargers (S) RB______Kirk Johnson , New England Patriots (CB) Cory Redding, Arizona Cardinals (DT) DB______P.J. Locke III Carrington Byndom, Carolina Panthers (CB) Cedric Reed, (DE) QB______Kai Locksley , Kansas City Chiefs (RB) Keenan Robinson, Washington Redskins (LB) OL______Buck Major John Chiles, Chicago Bears (WR) , Minnesota Vikings (DE) TE______DeAndre McNeal Phil Dawson, (PK) , Cleveland Browns, (CB) QB______Matthew Merrick Quandre Diggs, (CB) , Arizona Cardinals (C) WR_____Ryan Newsome Marquise Goodwin, Buffalo Bills (WR) Kyle Shanahan, Cleveland Browns (OC) Jerry Gray, Minnesota Vikings (DB Coach) Jaxon Shipley, Arizona Cardinals (WR) OL______Tristan Nickelson* Michael Griffin, Tennessee Titans (S) Geoff Swaim, (TE) DE______Charles Omenihu Donald Hawkins, Miami Dolphins (OL) , (S) OL______Garrett Thomas* Jordan Hicks, Philadelphia Eagles (LB) Mykkele Thompson, New York Giants (S) LB______Cameron Townsend Richard Hightower, San Francisco 49ers (ST) Justin Tucker, (PK) OL______Patrick Vahe Tony Hills, Carolina Panthers, (OT) , (S) DE______Quincy Vasser* Trey Hopkins, (OG) Chris Whaley, Dallas Cowboys (DT) RB______Chris Warren III Lamarr Houston, Chicago Bears (DT) Fozzy Whittaker, Carolina Panthers (RB) LB______Anthony Wheeler Michael Huey, San Diego Chargers (OL) Aaron Williams, Buffalo Bills (CB) OL______Connor Williams* * enrolled in January

www.TexasSports.com 7 • Jay Norvell was named wide receivers coach in January. Norvell has three stints LONGHORNS 2015 NFL DRAFT NOTES as an offensive coordinator, mostly recently • The Longhorns have had 335 players chosen and Raymond Clayborn (16th overall in 1977) at Oklahoma where he served as co-offen- on draft day and had at least one player selected were the other Longhorns drafted in the first sive coordinator/wide receivers coach from in 77 of the 80 NFL Drafts, including a record round by the Patriots. 2011-14 and assistant offensive coordina- 76 consecutive (1938-2013). • Jordan Hicks became the fourth Texas line- tor/WR coach from 2008-10. Three of the • With Jordan Hicks’ selection in the third backer selected in the draft during the last six round, the Longhorns have had at least two play- years. Keenan Robinson (fourth round in 2012 top four players on OU’s all-time recep- ers taken in the first three rounds in 13 of the last to Washington), Emmanuel Acho (sixth round tions chart played under Norvell’s direc- 15 NFL Drafts. New England selected Malcom in 2012 to Cleveland) and Roddrick Muckelroy tion – Ryan Broyles (349), Kenny Stills Brown in the first round. In fact, at least two (fourth round in 2010 to Cincinnati) join Hicks (204) and (202) – while Longhorns have been drafted in 51 of the last 54 on the list. Acho has spent the last two seasons five of the top six single-season reception years, dating back to 1962. in Philadelphia. marks have come under Norvell. He was • Texas has had 44 players selected in the first • With the selection of Mykkele Thompson and also the OC/QB coach at UCLA in 2007 round with three of those — Kenneth Sims, Quandre Diggs, Texas has had seven defensive and at Nebraska from 2004-06. In addition, 1982; Earl Campbell, 1978; Tommy Nobis, backs chosen in the last six drafts. In addition, he coached in the NFL with Indianapolis 1966 — earning the honor of being the first there have been at least two defensive backs player selected overall. taken in four of the last 10 years with the last (1998-2001) and Oakland (2002-03). • This is the fourth year in the last seven the occurrence in 2011 with Aaron Williams (sec- • Jeff Traylor joined the staff in February as Longhorns had a first-round draft choice includ- ond round, Buffalo) and Curtis Brown (third tight ends coach/special teams coordinator. ing Kenny Vaccaro (2013 by New Orleans), Earl round, Pittsburgh). Traylor is in his first stop at the collegiate Thomas (2010 by Seattle) and Brian Orakpo • Geoff Swaim is the first Longhorn to be level after a tremendously successful high (2009 by Washington). drafted by Dallas since 1999 (WR Wane school career. Traylor was Gilmer [Texas] • Brian Orakpo was the last Longhorn defen- McGarity, fourth round) and only the second High School’s head coach for 15 seasons sive lineman to go in the first round (13th over- since 1987. The last UT tight end to be chosen (2000-14), amassing three state champion- all to Washington in 2009) and Marcus Tubbs was Jermichael Finley, going in the third round ships (2004, ‘09 ‘14) and a 175-26 overall the previous UT defensive tackle to be selected of the 2008 draft to Green Bay. in the opening round (23rd overall to Seattle in • The Longhorns’ five selections this year are record (.871). He also led Gilmer to state 2004). the most since they had six in 2010. This is also runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2012, while • Malcom Brown became the fifth player under the fifth time in last 10 years UT has had five or winning 12 district titles. Gilmer reached Strong to be drafted in the first round during more selections. the 10-win mark 11 times under Traylor’s the last two years. Louisville’s DeVante Parker • Despite not having a player selected in the direction, all in the last 12 years, while also went in the first round (14th overall) to Miami. 2014 draft, seven Longhorns ended up sign- recording seven 13-win campaigns. The Last season, Louisville had three first round ing as free agents. Six from that class were on Buckeyes reached the 15-win plateau three picks in safety Calvin Pryor (18th overall to NFL rosters last season, including Carrington times, all of which resulted in undefeated New York Jets), defensive end Marcus Smith Byndom (Carolina), Donald Hawkins (Dallas), state championship years, including two (26th overall to Philadelphia) and quarterback Trey Hopkins (Cincinnati), Jackson Jeffcoat Teddy Bridgewater (32nd overall to Minnesota). (Washington), Adrian Phillips (San Diego) and 16-0 marks in 2004 and 2014. Strong was the Cardinals’ head coach from 2011 Chris Whaley (Dallas). The six first-year play- to 2014. Since 1995, Strong has coached 14 ers on NFL rosters was tied with Baylor and STRONG IN THE CLASSROOM: Head players selected in the first round and 35 taken Oklahoma for the most among Big 12 schools coach Charlie Strong stresses not only suc- in the first four rounds. and tied for 21st in the nation. cess on the field, but also off it. Texas had • David Thomas (third round in 2006) was the • Texas holds the NFL record with 17 players an extremely impressive performance in last Longhorn selected in the NFL Draft by New selected in the 1984 draft. the classroom during 2014-15: England. Kenneth Sims (first overall in 1982) • After the Spring 2015 semester, UT held its highest cumulative GPA in program 2015 NFL DRAFT NEWS AND NOTES: Texas had its most chosen in five years history (2.77). The 2015 NFL Draft saw five Longhorns (six in 2010). On the final day of the draft, • Eighteen (18) Longhorns earned selected over the three-day process and the New York Giants chose defensive back Academic All-Big 12 honors in 2014. five more players signing as free agents in Mykkele Thompson in the fifth round, • Sixty-seven (67) Horns were named to the following days. On the opening day, Detroit tabbed cornerback Quandre Diggs the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll by defensive tackle Malcom Brown landed in the sixth round, and Dallas picked tight earning at least a 3.0 semester GPA in Fall in the first round (32nd overall) to New end Geoff Swaim in the seventh round. 2014 and/or Spring 2015. England, and one day later linebacker This was the fifth time in last 10 years UT • Forty (40) current and former players Jordan Hicks was taken with the 20th has had five or more draft picks. In the graduated or are projected to graduate dur- pick (84th overall) in the third round by days following the draft, five Longhorns ing the 2014-15 academic year. Graduates Philadelphia, giving Texas at least a pair signed as rookie free agents: included NFL alumni Priest Holmes, of selections in the first three rounds in • DS Nate Boyer – Seattle Nathan Vasher and Marcus Wilkins. 13 of the last 15 years. It was also the • RB Malcolm Brown – St. Louis • Texas posted the highest multiyear APR 51st time in the last 54 years (since 1962) • WR John Harris – Philadelphia (958) in program history with the 2013-14 the Longhorns had two or more picks in • DE Cedric Reed – Buffalo data released in May. the NFL Draft. One year after having its • WR Jaxon Shipley – Arizona NFL-record streak snapped at 76 seasons of having a player selected in the draft, 8 2015 Texas Football Media Guide • Notes