The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
2006 position preview: OL/DT
07.03.2006 | Football
OFFENSIVE LINE
Experienced O-line: In 2005, the Longhorn offensive line cleared the way for the nation's second-ranked rushing offense (274.9 ypg) and led the way for UT to rank first in scoring offense (50.2 ppg) and third in total offense (512.1 ypg). The 2005 line featured two All-Americans, three first-team All-Big 12 performers and all five starters made some level of all-conference. It paved the way for an NCAA-record 652 points scored and a new UT record in total yards (6,657). Three starters return from that line in 2006 to form a unit that is ranked No. 1 in the nation by Lindy's, No. 2 by Athlon and No. 4 by The Sporting News. It includes senior three-year starter and 2006 preseason first-team All-America RT Justin Blalock (38 straight starts/2005 third-team All-America), senior two-year starter LG Kasey Studdard (25 starts/2005 second-team All-Big 12) who is a preseason second-team All-American by Lindy's and The Sporting News, and senior C Lyle Sendlein (13 starts/2005 first-team All-Big 12). Blalock is also a top 2006 Outland Trophy and NFL prospect and was named a preseason first-team All-American by Athlon, Lindy's, Playboy and The Sporting News. Blalock is the top rated offensive tackle by The Sporting News and Lindy's, while Studdard is the top-rated guard by Lindy's and Sendlein is the fourth-rated center. In addition, Texas returns junior OT Tony Hills, who appeared in 10 games as Jonathan Scott's primary backup at left tackle, sophomore OG Cedric Dockery, who played in 10 games as Will Allen's primary back up at right guard and on special teams, senior C Brett Valdez, junior C Dallas Griffin and sophomore OT Greg Dolan with playing experience. Redshirt freshmen OL Chris Hall, C Charlie Tanner and OT Adam Ulatoski will also compete for solid playing time in the fall. In addition, true freshman Buck Burnette was an early enrollee and participated in spring drills, while fellow freshmen Steve Moore, Roy Watts, Jr., and J'Marcus Webb join the Horns for fall practice.
Award watch lists: Justin Blalock - Outland Trophy (nation's top offensive lineman); Lyle Sendlein - Rimington Trophy (nation's top center)
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Manning the middle: Texas' defensive tackles unit helped to hold opponents to 302.9 total ypg (10th NCAA), 130.9 rushing ypg (33rd NCAA) and 16.4 ppg (eighth NCAA). With the loss of Lombardi Award finalist and consensus first-team All-American Rod Wright and All-Big 12 performer Larry Dibbles, anchoring that unit will be junior Frank Okam, a 2006 preseason Playboy All-American and member of the Bednarik Award watch list as the nation's top defensive player. The defensive line as a whole is rated No. 2 in the nation by Lindy's and No. 5 by The Sporting News, while Okam is the fifth-rated defensive tackle by The Sporting News and No. 5 by Lindy's. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2005. A freshman All-American in 2004, Okam has posted 70 tackles, 11 TFL, three sacks, 20 pressures and three fumble recoveries in 25 career games (14 starts). Juniors Derek Lokey and Thomas Marshall, along with sophomore Roy Miller will all compete for significant playing time. Lokey has played in 22 career games with 27 tackles, five TFL, 1.5 sacks and seven pressures, while Marshall has seen action in 10 career games, including eight last season. Miller played in 10 games, including the National Championship game, as a true freshman in 2005. Also back in the middle for the Longhorns is senior Tully Janszen, who has 20 games of experience in his career. True freshman Ben Alexander joins the unit for the fall.
Okam leads the way: DT Frank Okam, who was named to the Football Writers Association of America and Scripps Freshman All-America team in 2004, started all 13 games opposite Rod Wright in 2005 and completed a solid sophomore season where he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors. He was named a 2006 preseason Playboy All-American after recording 48 tackles, five TFL, 11 pressures, one sack and two fumble recoveries, including a TD in 2005. He is also a member of the 2006 Bednarik Award (nation's top defensive player) and Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman) preseason watch lists. Okam's top game of the season came at Missouri, where he recorded a career-high seven tackles to go along with one TFL, two pressures and a fumble recovery. He scored the first TD of his career by falling on a fumble in the end zone against Rice. In 25 career games (14 starts), Okam has 70 tackles, 11 TFL, three sacks, 20 pressures and three fumble recoveries. He played in all 12 games with one start in 2004 and posted 22 tackles, six TFL, nine pressures, five PBD, a fumble recovery and two sacks.
Award watch lists: Frank Okam - Bednarik Award (nation's top defensive player), Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman)
