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Jan. 12, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas -- After considering bypassing their senior seasons to enter the NFL Draft, Longhorn junior defensive standouts DT Lamarr Houston, LB Sergio Kindle and LB Roddrick Muckelroy have decided to return to Texas for the 2009 season. That trio played a key role in the Longhorns leading the Big 12 in total, rushing and scoring defense in 2008.

"We're really excited that Lamarr, Sergio and Roddrick have decided to come back for their senior season," head coach Mack Brown said. "They are terrific kids who are on schedule to earn their degrees and can be great leaders for our team. We encourage all of our juniors to go through the NFL evaluation process that's at their disposal. Lamarr, Sergio and Roddrick took a good hard look at everything and talked with our coaches and their families in coming up with the decision they feel is right for them. Now they can turn their focus to helping lead what has a chance to be another great Longhorn team next season."

With a 24-21 victory over No. 10 Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Texas posted a 12-1 record and finished the 2008 season ranked third in the USA Today Coaches Poll and fourth by The Associated Press. It marked the third time in the last five years the Longhorns have finished the year ranked in the nation's Top Five. The 12 victories marked just the second time in school history the Horns posted a dozen wins and also extended their school-record string of 10-win seasons to eight in a row (T-2nd longest streak in NCAA history). Texas also posted a school-record fifth-straight bowl win.

"We're obviously excited about the decision of all three guys," defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said. "I think the most important thing is that all three will have an opportunity to graduate and receive their T-Ring. That was very important to them and we're excited about that. More than anything, they handled it very professionally, did it the right way as far as sending their papers in for their evaluation, handled things in a very mature way, and were very up-front and honest with us, as we were with them in where they sat with the process. We're obviously very pleased to have them return to the program."

An honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree at defensive end as a sophomore, Houston moved inside to defensive tackle in 2008, appearing in 12 games and starting eight. Despite battling a foot injury for much of the season, he posted 22 tackles, 1.5 sacks, seven TFL and five PBD. A 2008 second-team Academic All-Big 12 selection, Houston has tallied 102 tackles, seven sacks, 21 TFL, nine PBD and a forced fumble in 36 career games (19 starts).

"After the bowl game, I thought long and hard about it, and in the end, it just came down to wanting more," Houston said. "There is so much more out there for this team and myself, personally. We were so close this year that I want to take another shot at a Big 12 and National Championship. I'll graduate in December, I can get stronger mentally and physically as a player and I want to be a great leader for next year's team.

"I spent several days talking to my parents and people close to me and am really excited about coming back for my senior year. I'm looking forward to getting back to work with my teammates and having another year to work with Coach Tolly (Tolleson), Coach Muschamp and all of our great coaches. Knowing how much better I can get with their help had a huge impact on my decision."

An honorable mention All-America and first-team All-Big 12 choice, Kindle played in all 13 games, starting 11, at outside linebacker in 2008. He finished fifth on the team in tackles with 53 (37 solo) and second in sacks (10) and TFL (14). His 10 sacks were tied for 21st nationally. Kindle also added two PBU, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. During his 32-game career (11 starts), Kindle has posted 106 tackles (68 solo), 10.5 sacks, 21 TFL, three PBU, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

"Everybody was there for me when I was making my decision, but when it came down to it, it was my decision, and I made it on my own," Kindle said. "Everybody was happy with my decision. A major part of coming back was the fact that I can graduate in December. My pops told me I'd have to come back to get a ring because he takes all of my bowl rings. He said the only one I'd be able to keep is my T-Ring, so that's the best one.

"We were pretty close this year, but next year as a team, we'll have a good shot to win the Big 12 and the National Championship. Then I do have some personal goals, but besides that, I think we'll have a great team next year and I can be an asset. There are still a lot of things I need to work on including my pass rush, being an every down player, and Coach Muschamp is going to help me with that."

A second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2008, Muckelroy started all 13 games at linebacker and led the team with 112 tackles (71 solo) to go along with four TFL, six pressures, four PBU, a forced fumble and a fumble return for a TD posted. He posted five 10-tackle games. In 28 career games (16 starts), Muckelroy has recorded 189 tackles (119 solo), 13 TFL, 3.5 sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.

"Basically it was just a decision I sat down and made," Muckelroy said. "I just went with my heart in the end. I decided to come back and just better myself in a lot of ways. I should be able to get my degree in two semesters, and that was important to me. A lot of different factors went into. When I sat down and put everything into it, I just decided it was in my best interest to come back for my senior season.

"As a team, I wanted to continue what we were doing and build off last season and try to reach our goals of a Big 12 and National Championship. Personally, I wanted to get stronger and work on all the little things and improve my techniques, and I think I can do that under Coach Muschamp. I'm happy with my decision and I'm looking forward to getting to work with my teammates."

Houston, Kindle and Muckelroy were major parts of a Texas defense that led the Big 12 in scoring defense (18th NCAA/18.8 ppg), total defense (51st NCAA/342.9 ypg) and rushing defense (third NCAA/ 83.5 ypg) and led the nation in sacks with 3.6 per game in 2008. The Longhorns' defense held every opponent under its season scoring average and kept its opponents to 14 points or fewer in seven of the 13 games.