Casey Hampton. Ed Oliver. Poona Ford.
At Big 12 Media Days last week, Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman said that he’s been around three “truly great” nose tackles during his career, listing the two Texas standouts and the current Houston superstar.
Unfortunately, Herman’s defensive coordinator, Todd Orlando, is now tasked with replacing Ford, who graduated after his best season in burnt orange — 34 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and a blocked field goal. As a result of that production, the Texas team captain earned recognition as the Big 12’s Defensive Lineman of the Year before landing with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.