Jan. 17, 2012
Mobile, AL. -- A trio of Texas Longhorns defenders will line up alongside one another one final time next week in the 2012 Senior Bowl. Linebackers Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson will join defensive tackle Kheeston Randall in the senior showcase event, it was announced today. All three players have officially accepted invitations to the 2012 game and will play on the South squad, which will be under the direction of the Washington Redskins coaching staff.
The 63rd Senior Bowl is set for 3pm (CT) on Saturday, January 28th in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game and all practices will be televised live by NFL Network.
"We think very highly of all three of these players and are excited about watching them perform here next week," Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale said. "They all played key roles in helping the Longhorns rank amongst the top defenses in the nation so we expect big things from them."
These three senior Longhorns led a ferocious defense in 2011 under first-year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz that ranked first in the Big 12 Conference in total defense (306 ypg), rushing defense (96.2 ypg), pass defense (209.8 ypg) and pass efficiency defense (111 ypg).
Acho was a third-team All-American selection (AP) and first-team All-Big 12 pick this year after leading the Longhorns and finishing sixth in the conference with 131 total tackles (65 solo). He added 19 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hurries and three sacks on the season. For his career, Acho posted 278 total tackles (159 solo), 41 tackles for loss, eight sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, 13 pass breakups and 26 quarterback hurries in 26 starts. Acho was also a Lott Trophy finalist in 2011.
Robinson was a second-team All-Big 12 pick this year after recording 106 total tackles (53 solo), including 10 tackles for loss and a sack. He also added 13 quarterback hurries, seven pass breakups, two caused fumbles and recorded a safety. He was named the Defensive MVP of the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl after tallying 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss. The three-year starter at outside linebacker appeared in 51 games for the Longhorns, posting 317 career tackles (172 solo), including 25 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks to go along with 14 quarterback hurries, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and 14 pass breakups.
Randall was a second-team All-Big 12 selection from his defensive tackle spot this season after totaling 34 tackles (12 solo), including five tackles for loss, one sack, eight quarterback hurries and one pass breakup. He played a key role in helping the Longhorns lead the Big 12 in rushing defense, surrendering just 96.2 yards per game in 2011, and was a member of a defensive unit that allowed a mere seven rushing yards in their Holiday Bowl victory over California. In 35 career starts, Randall recorded 98 total tackles, including 21 tackles for loss, four sacks 25 quarterback hurries, six pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Tickets for the 2012 Senior Bowl are currently available for purchase at the Senior Bowl ticket office (151 Dauphin Street), all area Food For Less locations, select Regions Bank locations, online at www.seniorbowl.com or by calling (251) 432-4109.
The Senior Bowl is college football's premier senior showcase event, annually featuring the nation's best senior collegiate football stars and top NFL draft prospects on teams coached by NFL coaching staffs. For more information on the 2012 Senior Bowl please visit the bowl's website at www.seniorbowl.com.
NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information log onto NFL.com.
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