Something strange about a guy that has the most career (40.5) and single-season (22.5, or 8.5 more than second place) sacks in UT history and did all of that in ONLY 3 seasons yet isn't much publicized (at least in my circle, first time learning about him today) or at the very least in the UT Hall of Fame, which includes among other good but not great Longhorns LaMarcus Aldridge (who in essence played 1.5 seasons here), Chris Mihm, and Cory Redding. According to Wikipedia, he also had success as a professional and made the all-USFL team (which he played in only because of better money). What gives? Is there some reason he’s not given proper acknowledgement?
I think the major factor is that he was never the kind of guy to prefer the spotlight. His pro career never really gained any traction, and we went straight into a downturn shortly afterwards with Akers, which made those early 80s teams seem like a wasted opportunity. You're right that he was incredible. Every team we played had that same kind of "3 yards in a cloud of dust" offense, but they didn't mess with Kiki's side.
I believe it was Kiki who knocked Kubiak out of the game at Kyle Field in his last game as an Aggie, a game which almost every old Ag agrees he should never have played. I was a clean hit, but Kubiak was already hurt and Kiki went untouched from his blindside.
I was at that game and remember KiKi taking him out and the ensuing lengthily booing from the aggy collective. When the aggy collective was booing Kiki, Marty Akins never crossed their tiny brains.
1. Back then no one cared about that stat, because it was just a tackle that happened to be for a loss. Since 95% teams were run oriented. 2. Was probably the designated sacker, while the Other side DE Eric Holle or whoever held the gap 3. Didn't look like A DE, seemed short. Was fast like a OLB. Saw him chase down Craig James in high school.
I was not concerned about Kubiak beating us, but did have concerns about his backup - kid from Baytown, whose name escapes me.
So have rules on what qualifies as a sack changed? Here’s the first definition of a sack I came across on google: “In order for a play to be considered a sack, it must be obvious that the quarterback either intends to throw a forward pass or is still in the pocket without a clear, discernable objective for the play. If the play was a designed rush for the quarterback, a tackle of the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage does not count as a sack, but rather as negative rushing yards by the quarterback.” As for points 2 & 3, I don’t see the relevance assuming Kiki wasn’t the only designated “sacked” or rush specialist in UT history, and not sure what his size has to do with it except that it has nothing to do with it.
If, say Ossai, had 22.5 sacks next season, among other things he’d be all anyone talked about for years, cemented in UT history, in NYC for the Heisman presentation, a top-15 pick, and so on. Unless as suggested above Kiki declined any post-career awards or recognition, then I think something went on behind the scenes. Edit: He definitely wins the award for thickest neck in UT history.
Back then the stat didn't mean anything in the NCAA. It was hyped up in the NFL with Gastineau for the fans. Now you have fans clamoring for it like it is so important and the way to judge a defensive lineman. JJ Watt is a sack artist, but gets manhandled on the run. But the NFL has marketed the sack as something to cherish. The average fan sees the sack, but didn't see the 3 previous plays where the DE got blown off the line. If 95% of the plays are runs, and Deayala had 2 or 3 sacks in a game and 2 tackles for a total of 5 tackles versus several guys with 10 tackles in a game and we're all over the field, the other guys would grade higher in film. I will say DeAyala would of been an amazing OLB. That above clip shows his speed. He kicked butt with the Gamblers. His stockiness and relatively short arms made him not your prototypical DE for the NFL.
Never heard that about JJ Watt being manhandled. Quick google search shows these two quotes: “Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt continues to dominate, ranking first among 118 qualifying interior defenders with an overall grade of 91.9. His run defense grade of 93.0 is the highest in the NFL.” - 2015 article “Jadeveon Clowney is arguably the most dominant run-stopping edge in the NFL today after a 91.2 run-defense grade last season while J.J. Watt isn’t too far behind after an 88.7 run-defense grade in 2018.”
He must’ve impressed somebody given he was the Southwest Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1982.
That's kind of like being chosen valedictorian of the home school. Texas underachieved that year and SMU cheated its way to the top.
Have you watched an entire game tape on Watt? NFL poster whiteboy overhyped. That is what the NFL does. See Mayfield, Manziel, RG3 before they bust. You can't hide QB play. As long as Watt make Sacks, they are going to keep hyping him no matter what he does on the other 57 plays. De Ayala was great.
