12/24/02

The Sporting News tabs five Longhorns All-Americans

	Rod Babers
	Cory Redding
	Derrick Dockery
	Rodrique Wright
	Michael Huff

AUSTIN, Texas -- Five Longhorns earned All-America honors from The Sporting News, the publication announced on Tuesday. Senior CB Rod Babers (Houston, Texas) and senior DE Cory Redding (Houston, Texas) were third-team selections, while senior OL Derrick Dockery (Garland, Texas) earned fourth-team honors. True freshman DT Rodrique Wright (Houston, Texas) and redshirt freshman DB Michael Huff (Irving, Texas) were picked as first- and third-team Freshman All-Americans, respectively.

Babers, who also earned third-team All-America honors from The Associated Press, has posted a career-high 42 tackles (30 solo) and 20 pass breakups (leads team/T-No. 4 on UT's single-season chart) this year. A starter in each of UT's last 37 games, he also has recorded a pair of interceptions (one returned 73 yards for a TD) and three TFLs. The Thorpe Award semifinalist is the leader of a Longhorns secondary that has allowed a Big 12-best 162.8 passing yards per game (No. 10 NCAA) and ranks third in the conference and 10th in the country in pass efficiency defense (98.3 rtg). UT also ranks second in the league and in a sixth-place tie nationally with 21 interceptions.

Redding, a Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American and second-team Associated Press selection, is the leader of a UT defense that leads the Big 12 and ranks 10th in the NCAA in pass defense (162.8 ypg.), second in the league and eighth in the country in scoring defense (16.0 ppg.), second in the Big 12 and 12th nationally in total defense (296.6 ypg.) and third in the conference and 10th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (98.3 rtg.). The Lombardi and Hendricks Award finalist ranks fourth on the team with 66 tackles and leads the squad with 20 TFLs (T-No. 6 on UT's single-season list), 7.5 sacks, 36 QB pressures (T-No. 8 on UT's single-season chart), three forced fumbles and a pair fumble recoveries. He also has posted a sack in seven consecutive contests.

Dockery, the 40th consensus All-American in UT history (15th offensive lineman), has seen action at both right guard and tackle and been a force on the Longhorns offensive line this year. He is a key member of a UT offense that ranks fifth in the Big 12 and 17th nationally in scoring offense (33.7 ppg.). Dockery, who has not allowed a sack this season, has helped QB Chris Simms to throw for 2,938 yards (No. 2 on UT's single-season list) and a UT-record 24 touchdowns. He also has helped open holes for the Longhorns' eighth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher in sophomore Cedric Benson (1,247 yards/No. 7 on UT's single-season chart).

Wright, the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, became the sixth Longhorn in the Mack Brown era to earn first-team Freshman All-America honors. 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.

Huff has started all 12 games (nine at SS/three at CB) this season. He has posted 62 tackles (42 solo), including nine TFLs (T-No. 6 on UT's freshman list), one QB pressure and a fumble recovery. Huff also has recorded two interceptions (both returned for TDs) and nine pass breakups, which rank in a fourth- and sixth-place tie, respectively, on the Longhorns' freshman charts.