 
Trio named to 2012 CFPA Defensive Awards Watch List
July 2, 2012
Texas Longhorns senior defensive end Alex Okafor, junior defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat and junior cornerback Carrington Byndom have been added to the 2012 CFPA Defensive Awards Watch List, the CFPA has announced. Just last week, Texas Longhorns senior running back D.J. Monroe and sophomore CB Quandre Diggs were added to the 2012 CFPA Special Teams Watch List. Monroe was added to the lists for kickoff returner and all-purpose performer, while Diggs was added to the list for punt returners. Okafor is a three-year letterman who has appeared in 39 games on the defensive line, including 21 starts. He was a 2011 AFCA FBS Coaches' All-American and a unanimous first team All-Big 12 selection (Coaches), Also in 2011, he was named first team All-Big 12 (AP, Kansas City Star, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) and was on the 2011 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award watch list. Okafor transitioned back to full-time defensive end from defensive tackle in spring 2011 and has registered 110 tackles (49 solo), 9.5 sacks, 20 TFL, 36 pressures, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for his career. Last season he started all 13 games, posting 58 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three pass breakups, 17 pressures, two caused fumbles and one fumble recovery. He is a two-time member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll (Spring 2010/Fall 2010). Jeffcoat is a third-year defensive lineman who has appeared in 21 games with 15 starts. He was a 2011 second team All-Big 12 selection (Coaches, AP, Kansas City Star, San Antonio Express-News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram). Jackson has 86 tackles (43 solo), 27 TFL, 10.5 sacks, four PBU, one fumble recovery and 16 pressures for his career. He tallied 71 tackles, 21 TFL, eight sacks, nine pressures and three pass breakups in 2011. He was named honorable mention Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2010 when he posted 15 tackles (eight solo), six TFL and 2.5 sacks, one PBU, one fumble recovery and seven pressures. His father, Jim, was a standout defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys (1983-94) and Buffalo Bills (1995-97) and is the current defensive line coach at San Jose State.
Byndom is a third-year defensive back who has appeared in 25 games at defensive back and on special teams with 13 career starts. In 2011, he was named first-team All-Big 12 (AP, Kansas City Star, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News) and has posted 78 tackles (59 solo), two interceptions, 16 PBU, eight TFL, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one pressure and one blocked punt in his career. He tied for the team lead with 15 pass breakups to go along with 58 tackles, eight TFL, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2011. Byndom posted 20 tackles (17 solo), one PBU, one forced fumble and one blocked punt while playing in all 12 games in 2010. A Texas Longhorns football player has won a national CFPA award each of the last three consecutive seasons. Running back Foswhitt Whittaker was named the 2011 CFPA Kickoff Returner Trophy winner for his stellar senior season where he returned two kickoffs for 100-yard touchdowns in consecutive games. In 2010, DE Sam Acho was selected as the CFPA Defensive Lineman Trophy winner, and Earl Thomas was selected as the CFPA Defensive Back Trophy winner in 2009. |
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