Roddrick Muckelroy

Players like Brian Orakpo and Sergio Kindle have garnered most of the media attention, but the coaching staff raves about the work ethic and game preparation that Muckelroy brought to the team. Muckelroy is a student of the game who breaks down game films, spots tendencies of the opposition and acts like a coach on the field while also serving as a mentor for his younger teammates. Some of the staff jokes that his biggest strengths might consist of a pencil and a piece of paper. Muckelroy's work ethic has helped him become one of the Longhorns' defensive leaders. Muckelroy's ability to play any of the three linebacker positions has proven to be invaluable. Most of his starting experience came at the weak-side outside linebacker position, but when 2009 fall camp injuries depleted the depth at middle linebacker, he made a seamless transition moving inside, going on to earn All-Big Twelve Conference honors for the second time as a starter. The veteran of the Texas defense has also set a good example for his fellow mates to hit everything that gets in your way. He nicknamed his unit, "The Goon Squad" for their ability to attack the pocket relentlessly. Muckelroy told the Austin American-Statesman "it means throwing your body around without a care." Harming opposing quarterbacks seems to be another trait. Texas knocked out Missouri's Blaine Gabbert, a week after ending Sam Bradford's season for Oklahoma. While he might play as if he's on a "search and destroy" mission, off the field Muckelroy is possibly more involved within the community than any other Longhorn. At Hallsville High School, Muckelroy was a four-year starter at linebacker and also played some running back. He was a first-team Class 4A All-State selection by the Associated Press and Texas Sports Writers Association as a senior, adding All-Area and All-District honors. That season, he recorded 104 tackles, four sacks, 12 stops for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, adding two rushing touchdowns while lining up at fullback in goal-line situations. As a junior, Muckelroy was tabbed honorable mention All-State by the Associated Press and was also a first-team All-Area and All-District running back. He posted 144 tackles, 14 for loss, while rushing 89 times for 664 yards and nine touchdowns that year. He recorded 21 tackles, a forced fumble and scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner, vs. Palestine in the first round of the playoffs in 2003. During his sophomore season, he made 108 tackles, two sacks, seven stops for loss, one interception, five fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He also added 98 rushes for 448 yards and two scores. He had 378 tackles and 33 stops behind the line of scrimmage during his career. He also lettered twice in basketball and competed in track for three years in the 100m, 200m and mile relay. Muckelroy enrolled at Texas in 2005, spending the season as a red-shirt on the scout team. While it is rare for first-year players in the program to see much playing time, he had a stellar 2006 preseason and was anointed the team's starting weak-side linebacker. He had ten tackles (10 solos) with a sack and 2.5 stops for losses to begin the season, but early in the third game vs. Rice, he ruptured a tendon in his right ring finger. Surgery was performed and he missed the rest of the schedule. When he returned to the field in 2007, Muckelroy was no longer the starter, but he proved to be valuable coming off the bench. He played in 13 games, starting vs. Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl as a strong-side linebacker. He rewarded the coaches' faith in him by producing 59 tackles (40 solos) with 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception, despite being hampered a bit in mid-October by a strained hamstring. Again preparing as if his next game would be his last, Muckelroy wrested back his weak-side linebacker job in 2008, starting all 13 games. He paced the Longhorns with a career-best 102 tackles (69 solo). He showed off his "old" running back skills in the Texas-El Paso clash, racing 26 yards with a fumble recovery for a touchdown. When projected starter Jared Norton was lost due to an injury, Muckelroy slid over to man the middle linebacker position in 2009. He helped the team lead the nation in rush defense (72.36 yards per game) and rank third in total defense (251.93 yards per game), as he again led the squad with 85 tackles (59 solo) that included two sacks and nine stops behind the line of scrimmage, despite sitting out the Baylor contest with a knee sprain.

tackling

Brings down ballcarriers effectively when on the attack using his length and change-of-direction ability. Likes to lay the wood when possible. Should wrap and secure more often in space, however, instead of going for the big shoulder-first hit. Able to strip the ball when he does wrap. Plays with speed and aggression inside on special teams coverage units. Lacks the bulk to bring down big backs or receivers with a head of steam.

pass rush/blitz

Used as a pass rusher from the middle in 2009, he has the quickness and the tackling ability to attack the QB or be effective in the run blitz. Agile enough to jump over running back cut blocks. Good change-of-direction agility to track the quarterback down outside the pocket. Must prove he is strong enough to get off NFL fullback blocks and drag down stronger pro quarterbacks and running backs in the backfield.

intangibles

Quiet intimidator. Hustles on the field and knows his responsibilities. Known for his knowledge of the game and film study. Earned Frank Medina Rehabilitation Award for coming back from ruptured tendon in right ring finger suffered in 2006. No major character issues.

run defense

Attacks holes in the line and fills quickly. Gets pads low to make tackles near the line. Chases plays to the opposite sideline and down the line of scrimmage. Shows great downfield hustle to prevent long touchdown runs. Uses his hands to avoid cut blocks in space. Could be stronger against tight end blocks, and gets taken out the play instead of punching to get off. Chooses to run around blocks for that reason. High-cut and a bit thin in the hips, he might struggle against NFL offensive linemen.

pass defense

Has a safety's build and agility. Recognizes and attacks receiver screens. Agile enough to drop into medium zones; good ball awareness, and will hit the receiver quickly after the ball arrives -- if he doesn't get to it first. Has the quickness to recover if fooled by misdirection. Handles coverage responsibilities in the flat but may not have the speed to stay with backs downfield. Physical with tight ends on the line but is at a height disadvantage downfield.

read & react

Typical weak-side linebacker who flows to the ball well. Plays faster than 40 time indicates. Keeps his eyes in the backfield in coverage, and is quick enough to get sideline angle to prevent long QB runs or force throws across the body. Stays home against misdirection and does not take many false steps.

nfl comparison

Michael Boley, New York Giants

2006: Suffered a ruptured tendon in his right ring finger vs. Rice (9/16)...Under-went surgery five days later, missing the final ten games. 2007: Left the Iowa State game (10/13) in the first quarter with a strained hamstring and did not return. 2009: Sat out the Baylor game (11/14) with a knee sprain.

Campus: 4.84 in the 40-yard dash

1.73 10-yard dash

2.85 20-yard dash

4.39 20-yard shuttle

12.29 60-yard shuttle

7.25 three-cone drill

31-inch vertical jump

9'2" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times

32 1/2-inch arm length

9 1/4-inch hands.

Attended Hallsville (Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Roger Adams

Four-year starter at linebacker and also played some running back

First-team Class 4A All-State selection by the Associated Press and Texas Sports Writers Association as a senior, adding All-Area and All-District honors

That season, he recorded 104 tackles, four sacks, 12 stops for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, adding two rushing touchdowns while lining up at fullback in goal-line situations

As a junior, Muckelroy was tabbed honorable mention All-State by the Associated Press and was also a first-team All-Area and All-District running back

Posted 144 tackles, 14 for loss, while rushing 89 times for 664 yards and nine touchdowns that year

Recorded 21 tackles, a forced fumble and scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner, vs. Palestine in the first round of the playoffs in 2003

During his sophomore season, he made 108 tackles, two sacks, seven stops for loss, one interception, five fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles

Added 98 rushes for 448 yards and two scores

Had 378 tackles and 33 stops behind the line of scrimmage during his career

Also lettered twice in basketball and competed in track for three years in the 100m, 200m and mile relay.

Graduated in December 2009 with a degree in Corporate Communications

Member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2006)

Part of a group of Longhorns that regularly visits patients at the Dell Children's Medical Center

On hand when some of those patients were able to visit the Texas Football facilities

Helped deliver a team donation of food items to SafePlace, a shelter for victims of domestic violence this Thanksgiving

Participated in events such as visits to UT's facilities by the Wonders and Worries program and the Arc of the Capital Area

Helped welcome troops back to Fort Hood after being stationed overseas two years ago

While injured during his redshirt freshman season, he visited a San Antonio children's hospital on the team's trip to the Alamo Bowl

Very active in participating in the Longhorn Leaders program, which helps mentor middle school and elementary school children and spoke to a group of fifth and sixth graders in May on staying in school

Has also spoken at schools in his hometown of Hallsville, Texas, and worked a football camp in Hallsville as a senior in high school

Brother, Kendrick, played linebacker at Kilgore Junior College

Cousin, Joe King, was an offensive lineman at Oklahoma State (1988-90) and played in the National Football League with Cincinnati (1991), Cleveland (1991) and Tampa Bay (1992-93)

Born 10/27/86

Resides in Hallsville, Texas.