On the Monday before last year's season opener against Maryland, as he was addressing the media, Texas head coach Tom Herman was asked about naming then-senior nose tackle Poona Ford a team captain.
There was a noticeable sharpness in the words with which Herman spoke.
"He's the hardest practicing player on our team. It's not even close," Herman said. "And we've got some hard-practicing dudes."
Herman repeated that sentiment multiple times over the course of last season. Despite standing only 5-foot-11 and 310 pounds, Ford's impact for the Longhorns up front was unmistakable. Ford was named the Big 12 defensive lineman of the year, and he was a key reason why the Longhorns ranked second in the Big 12 in rush defense.