Texas Longhorns DT Paul Boyette talks football, marriage and pit bulls in interview

Senior Paul Boyette is a standout defensive tackle for the Texas Longhorns who happens to be married to 'Horns women's basketball player Imani Boyette.

Boyette recently did a Q&A interview with Lindsay Schnell of Campus Rush. In it, the rising senior talks about a host of issues including his marriage to another Longhorn athlete, a pit bull the couple adopted, and even a little about Texas football.

You can read the full piece here, but below are some of the highlights:

LS: I've heard some horror stories about The Pit, the place Texas players have to work out if they're injured. Have you ever been there? What's it like?

PB: Unfortunately, when coach Strong got here in 2014, I was one of the first guys to deal with it. I was injured at the time, I had shoulder surgery after I tore my rotator cuff, and I had to go through it and ooooh. I tell coach all the time, "The Pit ain't like it used to be when y'all first got here we used to do tractor (tire) pulls during practice."

The Pit is not a place you want to be. If you talked to guys in the locker room, all of them will say the same thing: The Pit will make you not want to be hurt. The Pit will make you say, "Oh, I twisted my ankle, but I'll just rub some dirt on it. I'll be fine."

LS: You'll compete for a starting job this year, and you're a veteran on a team with lots of underclassmen. What's it like to be in a program with so much young talent?

PB: I think it's exciting, really. At the same time, I'm kind of looked at as the Papa Bear, the old guy, the old soul, because I'm married at a young age. But, really, I love being a mentor and a leader and I'm a happy it's finally my time to be vocal. I think, moving forward, I'm just gonna try to show the young guys the ropes.

Every time we get a new recruit, coach Strong has called me in and introduces me, tells them I'm married, just showing I've got a good head on my shoulders, I'm a positive person, I'm headed in the right direction. ... My nickname on the team, everyone calls me "Unc," like uncle. I've got a lot of nephews on the team.

LS: What's the highlight of your football career so far?

PB: I would have to say beating Oklahoma on my wife's birthday (on Oct. 10). I was one of the players of the game (after two tackles for loss, including a sack), and we brought in her 21st birthday with a bang.

Boyette finished third on the team with eight tackles for loss last season and also recorded three sacks among his 37 tackles.