Five Texas Longhorns Veterans to Watch in the Fall

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Nov 28, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Dalton Santos (55) tackles Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas beat Texas Tech 41-16. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Dalton Santos, senior linebacker

That buzz you hear around campus is the excitement true freshman Malik Jefferson has created since he stepped onto the Forty Acres. No doubt all eyes will be on Jefferson as Longhorn fans wait anxiously to see him in action.

Meanwhile Santos quietly rehabs from ankle surgery. The senior hurt himself in spring practice and missed the Spring game. This opened the door for Jefferson to steal the spotlight. The reality is this defense needs an experienced linebacker to sniff out plays and make sure the defense is lined up correctly.

Santos had just one start in 2014 after making seven in 2013. A healthy Steve Edmond relegated the middle linebacker to reserve status. With Edmond graduated, Santos inherits the role of the run stopper. He isn’t very fast or flashy, but with the likes of Jefferson and Naashon Hughes on the field he only needs to be consistent. If he does his job, Santos should quietly rack up the tackles while Jefferson and Hughes grab the headlines. There’s nothing wrong with that.