The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Studdard chosen 183rd overall by Houston Texans in 2007 NFL Draft
04.29.2007 | Football
University of Texas OG Kasey Studdard was selected by the Houston Texans with the 183rd pick overall and the ninth pick of the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft on Sunday.
"It's one of the biggest reliefs ever," Studdard said. "It was awesome. It seemed like a weight on my shoulders for so long, but I feel great right now. The Texans called me, and someone said on the other end, 'Kasey, do you know who this is?' I said, 'Coach Kubiak?' He said, 'Yes, we're about to take you with the next pick if Tampa Bay doesn't take you, so I'll call you right back.' It was just nuts. It was just crazy to see my name up there."
With the selection of Studdard, Texas has had seven players chosen in this year's draft, matching the most since 1992. Studdard is the second Longhorn to be chosen by the Houston Texans, following WR Sloan Thomas, who was drafted in the seventh round in 2004.
Studdard is the third member of his family to be drafted out of UT. His father, T Dave Studdard, was selected in 1978 in the ninth round by the Baltimore Colts and played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos, while his uncle, G Les Studdard, was chosen in 1981 in the 10th round by the Kansas City Chiefs.
"It makes me feel great," Studdard said of the tradition. "That's just awesome. My dad just told me he was proud and was glad I was going to a great team with great coaches. He was happy I don't have to worry and that I'll be in a good organization."
Studdard becomes the second UT offensive lineman drafted this year, following OG/T Justin Blalock's selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round. It is the first time since 1986 that two Texas offensive linemen have been chosen in the same draft. That year, OT John Stuart (eight round, Miami Dolphins) and OG Bryan Chester (10th round, Dallas Cowboys) were selected.
"Kasey is a great story in that he also has great bloodlines," said head coach Mack Brown. "His dad played 10 years in Denver. Kasey really brought an element of excitement, toughness and attitude to our offensive line. That's something we've missed at times. Kasey is as tough as any football player I've ever been around, and therefore became a great emotional leader for the other kids.
"He played linebacker and fullback some in high school. We had him on offense and defense. Coach Tolleson wanted him as a defensive tackle, but we needed his toughness on offense. If you're not careful, you think the tough ones go on defense and the softer ones gone on offense, but that doesn't work, because they've got to play each other. We moved Kasey over for the purpose of bringing tenacity to the offensive line, and he did that."
Studdard played in 45 career games and started the last 38, including all 13 games in 2006. He was named first-team All-Big 12 by The Associated Press and the league's coaches and voted a captain by his teammates. He earned the Joseph W. Moore Award for Tenacity from the team following his senior year, during which he helped Texas gain 162.6 rushing yards per game (34th NCAA), 391.5 total yards per game (23rd NCAA) and score 35.9 points per game (seventh NCAA).
"I always start when I talk about Kasey by saying he's a throwback. He's what old-time guards used to be all the time. He's extremely physical and a guy that loves to finish a block. He may be the toughest guy I've ever been around. I think what he brings is an attitude. I know one of the things we were looking for this spring was, 'Who's going to bring Kasey's attitude to the table?'
