The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Acho drafted 103rd overall by the Arizona Cardinals
04.30.2011 | Football
April 30, 2011
Austin - Texas DE Sam Acho was selected 103rd overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2011 NFL Draft and is the ninth Longhorn defensive lineman selected in the last five years under Mack Brown.
"When I got that call and they said if the Browns didn't pick me, then they were going to, I was speechless," Acho said. "They told me congratulations and that they were hoping I would be at this position and that they were really excited to have me. They were excited and I am too. They want me to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 [defensive alignment]. I honestly can't wait. I've been to Arizona once and it's an unbelievable place to be and place to live. I'm excited to start my future in Arizona."
"Sam Acho is one of the hardest working people, best leaders in high character that I've been around in my 37 years of coaching," Texas head coach Mack Brown said. "He is a young man that you just say, 'Congratulations and great job, Sam.' He's going to do everything within his power to do every little thing right every day. Any team that gets Sam is lucky to get him. Off the field he's a leader, on the field he's a leader, and he's also a very productive player."
Nine Texas defensive lineman have now been selected in the last five years including Sergio Kindle (2010 - Baltimore Ravens), Lamarr Houston (2010 - Oakland Raiders), Brian Orakpo (2009 - Washington Redskins), Roy Miller (2009- Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Henry Melton (2009 - Chicago Bears), Frank Okam (2008 - Houston Texans), Tim Crowder (2007 - Denver Broncos) and Brian Robison (2007 - Minnesota Vikings).
Acho is the first Longhorn to be chosen by the Arizona Cardinals since OG Leonard Davis was selected second overall in 2001. Prior to that, the last Texas player drafted by the Cardinals organization was DE Lance Wilson in the 12th round in 1992 when they were known as the Phoenix Cardinals. Acho will join former Longhorn C Lyle Sendlein on the Cardinals roster.
The 2011 draft marks the ninth straight year that the Longhorns have had at least three players drafted.
Acho was a four-year defensive end who also played at defensive tackle as a senior. He played in 50 career games, including 26 starts posting 148 tackles, 23.5 sacks (10th on UT's career list) 37 TFL, 44 pressures, eight PBD, eight forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries (second on UT's career list).
He started all 12 games as a senior, recording 59 tackles, 17 TFL, nine sacks, 18 pressures, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. His five fumble recoveries led the nation and tied the UT single-season record.
Acho was a finalist for the 2010 Lott IMPACT Trophy, a 2010 Lombardi Award semifinalist, a 2010 unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection, earned a spot on the prestigious Playboy Preseason All-America team in 2010 and was a member of the 2010 watch lists for the Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy and Hendricks Award.
Acho started all 14 games as a junior in 2009 when he as a Lott Trophy semifinalist and an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection. He led the team with four fumble recoveries, which tied for the most nationally (t-No. 3 UT single-season) and also tallied 63 tackles (44 solo), 14 TFL, 10 sacks, three PBD, two forced fumbles and 15 pressures.
In 2008, he played in all 13 games at defensive end and on special teams where he compiled 16 tackles, three sacks, nine pressures, two PBD and a forced fumble. He saw action in 11 games at defensive end and on special teams as a true freshman in 2007, tallying 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three TFL, two pressures and two PBD.
Acho was a three-time all-conference performer and four-time member of the honor roll in high school, was ranked as one of ESPN's top 150 national prospects, was a three-time Academic All-District selection and a three-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection.
