Texas football: Assembling the all-time Mack Brown team

Defensive line

The early-to-mid 2000s was a beautiful time on the Forty Acres for some defensive linemen who became among the best and most productive in program history at their respective positions. Three of the four defensive linemen on this list rank among the 10 Longhorns players with the most tackles for loss in a single season.

Shaun Rogers, Casey Hampton, and Cory Redding posted at least one season with over 20 tackles for loss. These three also rank among the top six players in program history in terms of career tackles for loss. They combined for over 160 career tackles for loss (per Texas record books).

Rogers and Hampton were two players that were defensive line anchors at the defensive tackle position for the Longhorns, mostly in the early 2000s. Meanwhile, Redding and Brian Orakpo made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks and offensive tackles as some of the most disruptive defensive ends in Big 12 history.

DE: Brian Orakpo

DT: Shaun Rogers

DT: Casey Hampton

DE: Cory Redding

Redding made a living in the opposing team’s backfield during his best individual season in 2002. He registered 37 quarterback pressures (tied for eighth most in a single season in program history) and double-digit sacks during the 2002 campaign.

Meanwhile, Orakpo peaked in 2008. He registered a career-best 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, earning him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-American honors and a top 15 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by Washington.