Another national weekly honor recognizes a linebacker whose production reaches well beyond the pass rush.
Texas needs players who can change a game without abandoning their assignment. Rasheem Biles is giving the Longhorns exactly that kind of production.
The senior linebacker was named the Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week on November 4, adding another national honor following Texas’ 31–3 victory over Mississippi State.
Biles had already received the Chuck Bednarik Award’s national weekly recognition and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
His performance against the Bulldogs supplied the reason: eight tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
One of those forced fumbles became Maraad Watson’s 61-yard touchdown return before halftime. A Mississippi State possession in Texas territory turned into seven points for the Longhorns.
That is the impact Texas needs as its November schedule moves to the road.
Biles’ season production also shows why his value extends beyond one dominant night. Biles is putting together a phenomenal season so far, registering 61 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and three interceptions. His three forced fumbles lead the SEC.
He can affect the run, challenge protection and create problems in coverage. That range gives Texas options, but the responsibility remains playing within the defense.
Against Missouri, chasing a sack cannot come at the expense of a rushing lane. Looking for an interception cannot mean losing a coverage assignment. Biles can be aggressive while still making the play the situation requires.
Texas enters the matchup with a defense ranked tenth nationally in total yards allowed at 273.1 per game.
Biles is a major part of what the Longhorn do defensively and he will need to be on his game against the Tigers. Saturday in Columbia, the Longhorns need him to carry the same discipline and disruption into another consequential SEC game.
