Chalk Talk: Linebackers

[Coleman Feeley]

This week's Chalk Talk is up - HERE. We're talking linebackers and the Horns have had some great ones. Who is your all-time favorite at UT?

 

[KatyHorn]

One of my favorites that I saw play is Brit Hager.

 

[BudreauReye]

Tommy Nobis has always been my favorite - prototypical hard nosed, sideline to sideline middle linebacker.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

This week's Chalk Talk is up - HERE. We're talking linebackers and the Horns have had some great ones. Who is your all-time favorite at UT?

Derrick Johnson is my favorite UT linebacker, but Tommy Nobis was the best in Longhorns' history.  Legendary sportswriter, Dan Jenkins, opines on his greatness in this 1965 Sports Illustrated article, "The Force".  It's a good read.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1115218/index.htm

 

[Etex Horn]

One of my favorites that I saw play is Brit Hager.

Nobis is my all-time favorite UT LB, but I admired Hager a lot too..

Britt Hager...his senior year was 1988.  I remember the Aggie game that year...Texas lost 28-24 in Austin.  That was during the terrible stretch of years from 1984-1994 when UT only beat the ags once, in 1990 (and UT was damn lucky to win that game...Stan "The Sheriff" Richard made a crucial stop on a late ag 2 point conversion attempt).  But as to Hager and the 1988 game...I remember him being helped off the field at least 3 times because he was hitting aggies so hard...I mean he was literally knocking himself OUT!  And he kept coming back into the game. Texas lost that night, but Hager went down FIGHTING in an incredibly valiant effort.  Hager was a lot like Lee Roy Jordan (former MLB for the Cowboys) in that they both only weighed about 215 lbs. Had to whip the blocks of MUCH larger OL and then meet the RB and bring him down.  Folks...that's pretty tough in my book.  Also, I remember Hager made like 165 tackles his junior year....that's a LOT of tackles for one season.   

 

[BudreauReye]

Nobis is my all-time favorite UT LB, but I admired Hager a lot too..

Britt Hager...his senior year was 1988.  I remember the Aggie game that year...Texas lost 28-24 in Austin.  That was during the terrible stretch of years from 1984-1994 when UT only beat the ags once, in 1990 (and UT was damn lucky to win that game...Stan "The Sheriff" Richard made a crucial stop on a late ag 2 point conversion attempt).  But as to Hager and the 1988 game...I remember him being helped off the field at least 3 times because he was hitting aggies so hard...I mean he was literally knocking himself OUT!  And he kept coming back into the game. Texas lost that night, but Hager went down FIGHTING in an incredibly valiant effort.  Hager was a lot like Lee Roy Jordan (former MLB for the Cowboys) in that they both only weighed about 215 lbs. Had to whip the blocks of MUCH larger OL and then meet the RB and bring him down.  Folks...that's pretty tough in my book.  Also, I remember Hager made like 165 tackles his junior year....that's a LOT of tackles for one season.   

I like Hager. too.  I only pick Nobis first because he was the first of the breed of dominating middle linebackers.  Hager, on the other hand was an under sized, under speeded, under athleticized example of a guy who could just plain old play football.  Some guys might not quite measure up with a scale, tape measure, or stop watch, but come game day, their opponents should oughta better watch out ... Britt Harley Hager was one of those.

 

[Topstarr]

DJ is the BEST........HOOK"EM

 

[chilly52]

Another good chalk talk! Learn something new every time. You're running out of positions to show us; what's next?

I thought DJ was great!

 

[Matt Cotcher]

No love for Killebrew?!?

I'm flagging all of you for a personal foul!

 

[Coleman Feeley]

D.J. was my favorite by far! I remember growing up and watching his patented "hook and punch" to force fumbles. (I'm sure he didn't invent it but in my head it's his move...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Gq3ZZ8ZuE

 

[Matt Cotcher]

11's ability to force a fumble on ANY tackle, regardless of what position he was in, is absolutely one of the Texas Defense's standout memories from the Mack's tenure. Even when opponent's knew he would do it, they still couldn't hold onto the ball.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Coleman and Matt, would be interested in your opinions on our current LBs. Would you list them in order of how good you feel they are?

 

[Lukus Alderman]

D.J. was my favorite by far! I remember growing up and watching his patented "hook and punch" to force fumbles. (I'm sure he didn't invent it but in my head it's his move...)

I remember seeing that the first time and thinking that there was no way that would ever work. Then the Cotton Bowl OU matchup hit and he did that to their QB a few times and I became a big fan.

 

[Juan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011