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Texas Football: 10 Former Longhorns to Watch this NFL Season

By Tyler Brett

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Fans in the Texas student section cheer during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas won 50-47 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Fans in the Texas student section cheer during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas won 50-47 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2014; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (98) reacts against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas beat Iowa State 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2014; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (98) reacts against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas beat Iowa State 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

Hassan Ridgeway left Texas early and was the only Longhorn selected in the 2016 draft. He joins the Indianapolis Colts where he should see early playing time this season.

Taken in the 4th round, Ridgeway is a big-bodied interior presence that can occupy blockers. He was a two-year starter at Texas, making 18 stars in 36 appearances, totaling 92 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a pass defended. In 2015, he earned All-Big 12 honorable mention and was named First Team All-Big 12 by ESPN.

With Indianapolis, circumstances should open the door for early playing time. The Colts kept just six defensive linemen on their 53-man roster and two of them, Kendall Langford and Henry Anderson, are dealing with injuries suffered in camp. That presents an opportunity for Ridgeway to get into the rotation early on and make his mark.

Finally, Ridgeway is set to make his NFL debut this Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Next: 9. Malcolm Brown, DT New England Patriots

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