Feb. 22, 2009
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Rafiq el Arculli, Texas Media Relations
With the departure of seniors Brian Orakpo, Roy Miller, Henry Melton and Aaron Lewis from the defensive line, there are large shoes to fill for next year's defensive unit. Not only do the Longhorns lose their defensive statistical leaders up front, but the seniors headed for life after Texas also take their acclaimed leadership with them.
One of those stepping into the leadership spotlight for 2009 is rising senior defensive tackle Lamarr Houston, who, just one month into the off-season, is already establishing himself as leader for the younger players.
"I'm just trying to step up to the plate and be a good example," explained Houston. "I have a big shoes to fill, so hopefully I'll be able to fill them."
One way Houston is trying to do that is by exposing the young players to everything he is working on, himself, to improve.
Enter former Longhorn and current Detroit Lions defensive tackle Cory Redding, who has been finishing his degree at Texas and has taken time out the past two springs to occasionally work out with his close friend in Houston.
"I met Lamarr three years ago as a freshman," Redding recalled. "I saw his desire to be something more than just an average player here at The University of Texas. I felt compelled to work with him, for me to get better and for him to get better. The relationship has just grown and he has a great work ethic."
It comes as no surprise their relationship has developed with similar playing styles and both showing the versatility to play both tackle and end.
"That's how the whole ball got started," Houston said. "The similarity between our personalities, backgrounds and things like that give us our connection."
However, when Redding visited Austin this year, Houston thought it would be beneficial for the younger linemen, such as Sam Acho, Russell Carter and Kheeston Randall, to take advantage of the same resource in Redding, who has played in the NFL for the past six seasons.
Houston introduced the group to Redding, who gave them tips he had worked on with Houston and told them that technique is the key to advancing beyond just natural ability and athleticism.
"I show them different things with the hands, and I tell them how important your feet and hips have to be," Redding said. "Getting a sack is not just running past somebody and hitting the quarterback. It's an art and a technique. There are many things that go into getting a sack, which is very tough, especially in the NFL. I just wanted to show them how to work their hands, their feet and their hips, and to be better technicians on the field."
Sophomore defensive end Sam Acho acknowledges that without Houston's leadership to include them, they would have never been given such a great opportunity.
"You can't ask to learn from anyone better," explained Acho. "Cory has been in our shoes, so he knows what it takes to excel to the next level. He has shown us things that only someone with experience in the NFL knows."
Redding appreciates how the younger linemen's faces light up when he teaches a new technique. He can also read the appreciation they return to him.
"They are like sponges right now, soaking up everything I'm telling them," stated Redding. "I'm not just taking them to the field and showing them how to do it and running them into the ground with drills. I actually brought tape, and I tell them how to not just look at film, but to study film. You have to look at every minute detail in order to get sacks. It all goes into preparing to dominate on Saturdays and Sundays."
At the workouts, Redding sees Houston transitioning into a prominent leader right in front of his eyes.
"First, it was just me and Lamarr, but now, we have the other guys out there with us," said Redding. "They are all following his lead because he has worked out with me before. So, they look up to him to see how he approaches the drills and the workouts.
"I see that leadership in him. He has what it takes to lead this team to wherever they want to go in the coming year. It's not about talking, it's about doing things, and he's putting things into action."
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