Texas defensive end Alex Okafor named AFCA All-American
A strong second half of the season helped vault Texas junior defensive end Alex Okafor onto the AFCA All-American team, the first selection for the Longhorns since 2009.
Okafor recorded 51 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a team-high seven sacks.
6 months ago
Wescott Eberts (GoBR)
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Congrats to Okafor
I was one of the most critical fans of our DE’s early in the year and the both really stepped up and proved me wrong.
Any chance he leaves early for the NFL?
Good question on the draft
The NFL’s alignment pendulum has been swinging in another direction for a while, and it looks like Okafor could play four-, five-, or seven-technique in a four-man front. I wouldn’t expect him to go out any wider than that, though; that’s more what you’d want Jeffcoat to do.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Dec 5, 2011 11:22 AM CST up reply actions
Well earned
Needed patience evaluating the DEs performance early on. They were working their pass rush moves fine in passing downs, and containing on the other downs. Offensive and defensive gameplans prevented them from blowing up stat sheets. Once Manny could turn them and the LBs loose, it was a joy to watch.
Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter
by The Audit Horn on Dec 5, 2011 11:31 AM CST via mobile reply actions
IS THERE ANY CHANCE AT ALL
That Mack can convince Oka and Machete to stay? Selfish fan here but man I want to see another year of destruction from those two.
Because being a Texas fan means never having to say you're sorry.
Okafor might be NFL-ready, but I don't think Vaccaro's a serious candidate to jump
I could be wrong, though.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Dec 5, 2011 11:43 AM CST up reply actions
I think they both stay
But Oak may test the waters. Especially if his measurables are high.
I think Vaccaro comes back because he could make money on draft status. Like Eric Berry (I think it was him) a few years ago. He is a good pick now, but he could be top 5-10 in a year. The differential from “early second round” to “top 10 pick” is worth more than 1 year’s pay over the course of a rookie contract.
If we had our QB situation worked out, they might be more likely to stay for a title run.
If they both came back, this defense could be the best in the country next year. Maybe that is motivation enough.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
Eric Berry came out after his third year at Tennessee
He played as a true freshman, and of course the next two seasons, then went pro.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Dec 5, 2011 12:17 PM CST up reply actions
And weren't there
talks about him in the draft after Soph year? But then he stayed and from start to finish was considered the top safety in CFB? Pretty sure that is how I remember it. I parallel Kenny V right now to Berry after Soph year.
At least to my recollection, pretty similar…..
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
He was ineligible for the draft after his sophomore year
You can only leave after 3 seasons, so the only sophomores that leave are ones that redshirted their first year.
C'mon, Swim! That's just silly.
“… I parallel Kenny V right now to Berry after Soph year.”
That’s just crazy. They’re not even close. KV won’t be making ANY All-American teams, let alone any all-conference teams. The kid’s got serious potential, ability, and had a very good breakthrough year but he’s not even close to Eric Berry, who was a solid All-American selection. Even the great Earl Thomas was considered a slight shade behind Berry, at the time, and The Machete isn’t anywhere close to ET’s level yet. He really needs to stay in school another year. It’ll cost him million$ if he comes out too early. And it may even cost Texas a Big 12* or national title too.
Easy Rob,
Should have looked it up. Not who I was thinking of. Must have been a different guy. (Notice I prefaced it with my uncertainty).
Can’t remember who I am thinking of. But there was a parallel. There was a DB who after 3 years was a “Good Pick” but came back for a 4th year because he would be wire-to-wire on the short list of the best DBs out there.
And that is how I feel about Kenny.
He would be a “Good Pick” now. But may actually Make money if he came back. per the above logic.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
Sorry that I came across harsh. I was actually trying to kid around a bit.
Yeah, I LOVE how Vaccarro has come on with this breakout year. He was so inconsistent last year but this time he’s been both solid & stellar. But I still can’t get past the fact that, just 1 year ago, he couldn’t even beat out Scott or Gideon to start. It’s not the case anymore but I am SO hoping that he’ll stick around another year. He took a giant step this year and he’ll take another giant step next year too. I don’t know if HE’s thinking about it but I think it’s just silly that he might leave for the pros this year. He’s just not there yet & he’ll certainly ride the pine, if he does. It would remind me so much of the silly early departures that are going on in the basketball world right now. I’m also a 100% homer and I want him to stay and help the Longhorns be all they can be in 2012. He’ll be on the Thorpe watch list, if he does.
I can’t think of what other DB you were mentioning but I could easily see Vaccarro being in Berry’s neighborhood … next year. He’s a destroyer.
I've thought all year
Okafor stays and Vaccaro goes. I think Vaccaro is a little more unique and special at his position than Okafor is. Both will be special pro prospects, but I think his size/speed ratio and ability to be effective in both run and pass defense makes him a more special prospect.
Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter
by The Audit Horn on Dec 5, 2011 12:23 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I don't think there's any question that Vaccaro's physically ready for the NFL
I think he could use another year to work on the mental aspects. Whether the pre-draft feelers bear that out or not is a different issue.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Dec 5, 2011 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
Congrats to Oak...
But to me at least, Jeffcoat has been more impressive than Okafor this season. Looking at the stats, it’s not hard to argue that he should have got the nod. Is is the intangibles of Okafor’s play that edges him out?
Jeffcoat is close on sacks and maybe a little ahead on TFLs and total tackles, but...
…Okafor has been a much headier player, plays the run much better, and while he doesn’t always close the deal, I think he’s actually put more pressure on the QB than anyone else this year.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Dec 5, 2011 12:21 PM CST up reply actions
Laughing
I still laugh at Muschamp moving Okafor to DT last year? Possibly the dumbest personell decision out of UT in a long time.
How so?
What would you have done to shore up the position last year?
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Dec 5, 2011 1:06 PM CST up reply actions
I would have
either forced Howell, Mims, or Higgins to grow up and man up to play in the middle with Randall, or ran more 3-4 with Okafor, Jeffcoat and Acho at DE and Jones, Robinson, Hicks and Acho at LB…
Lamarr Houston is a DE turned DT but he came out of high school at 6’3 257… Okafor as a freshmen was listed at 6’5 232… he didn’t have the frame to be a DT and it was a waste of an entire year for him.
By the way, Houston graduated listed at 6’3 305… even after we tried to “bulk” up Okafor last year he is still listed at around 6’5 260.
Not a DT size at all..
I think the idea was to get our best 4 linemen on the field.
In a pass-happy Big 12*, pass rush was huge last year. It only made sense to squeeze Okafor in somewhere rather than leave him on the bench.
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