12/2/02

Wright tabbed Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year

	Rodrique Wright

DALLAS -- University of Texas true freshman DT Rodrique Wright (Houston, Texas) was named the Big 12 Conference's Defensive Freshman of the Year. Wright is the third Longhorn to earn the honor in the past four years (LB Derrick Johnson, 2001; DE Cory Redding, 1999).

Wright has made an immediate impact in his inaugural season as a Longhorn. He has seen action in all 12 games, including eight starts, and registered 59 tackles (26 solo), 13 TFLs (-42 yards), 4.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and a blocked extra point attempt this year. Wright ranks in a third-place tie on UT's freshman TFLs list and in a fourth-place tie on the school's frosh sacks chart.

He performed particularly well in Big 12 play, posting 52 tackles (22 solo), 13 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 10 QB pressures, one forced fumble and a blocked kick in UT's eight league contests.

Wright also has been a key member of a UT defense that leads the Big 12 and ranks 10th in the NCAA in pass defense (162.8 ypg), ranks second in the league and seventh nationally in scoring defense (16.0 ppg), second in the conference and 12th in the country in total defense (296.6 ypg) and third in the conference and ninth in the nation in pass efficiency defense (98.3 rtg.).