Sergio Kindle, OLB

Kindle arrived at Texas with tremendous fanfare, as the prized recruit in the 2006 class, but injuries limited his playing time for two seasons.

He was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop during the summer prior to his sophomore campaign and was subsequently suspended for the first three games.

When Kindle returned to the field, he suffered a knee injury vs. Rice that would limit his playing time the rest of the 2007 campaign. After the 2008 season, he seriously considered leaving the university for the National Football League, but after a meeting with the player, his parents and the coaching staff, he wisely returned to Texas, leading the team to an undefeated regular season before losing to Alabama in the national championship clash.

Kindle showed versatility as he bounced between strong-side outside linebacker and the "Buck" (rush end) position during his time with the Longhorns. That versatility also saw him become the first NCAA player to ever be named a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end) and the Dick Butkus Award (top college linebacker).

An added bonus is his strong desire to play on the special team coverage units, some-thing stars of his caliber usually shy away from those duties. There are a lot of similarities to Kindle's gamer that was featured by former Texas Longhorn standout, Brian Orakpo. Both are known for their raw strength, exceptional closing speed, ability to attack the pocket in an instant and the "take no prisoners" approach they take when attacking the opposition.

Born in Los Angeles, Kindle moved to Texas shortly after he was born. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School, where he earned Parade All-American honors and was a Parade Player of the Year finalist. He was also named the Parade AFL Ironman (best two-way player nationally), adding the Old Spice Red Zone National Player of the Year Award to his resume. He earned first-team All-American recognition from USA Today and was the only Texas player to earn All-State honors on both offense and defense as a senior.

Kindle recorded 411 tackles and 55 stops behind the line of scrimmage as a linebacker, as he also competed as a running back, rushing for 5,632 yards and 86 touchdowns over his final three seasons. He was the starting center on the basketball team and also lettered in track, running in the 400m, 4x400-meter relay while also competing in the long jump.

Kindle graduated early and arrived on the university campus prior to 2006 spring drills, but was held out while awaiting clarification of his academic eligibility. Once cleared, he took over the second spot on the depth chart at strong-side outside linebacker. An ankle sprain in fall camp delayed his college debut until Texas' third game. He went on to play in eleven games as a reserve, posting 19 tackles (12 solo) with two stops for loss. He also excelled on special teams, recording eight tackles in that capacity.

Kindle's suspension, followed by a knee injury limited the reserve strong-side linebacker to eight games in 2007. He produced 29 tackles (19 solo), assisted on a sack and had four stops behind the line of scrimmage playing behind Robert Killebrew. He also continued his stellar special team performances, posting six tackles for the coverage unit.

In 2008, Kindle was a consensus All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection. He started eleven games - nine at strong-side outside linebacker and the Baylor and Kansas clashes at "Buck" defensive end. He recorded 45 tackles (36 solo), as he ranked third in the conference and 21st nationally with ten sacks. He also delivered 12.5 stops for loss, recovered two fumbles and recovered another.

Kindle filed paperwork with the NFL Advisory Board to be advised of his draft status after the 2008 season. Prior to making his decision, he met with Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Kindle's father, Johnny. Muschamp basically told Kindle if he got a first-round grade from the NFL evaluation committee that he needs to jump to the NFL.

Muschamp told Kindle, "Right now, you're a 3-4, outside linebacker with some pass-rush ability. That might limit you to teams right now that play a 3-4. My goal is for all 32 teams at this time next year to see you as an elite pass rusher from the defensive end spot as well as at outside linebacker." That struck a chord with Kindle's father, who had already calculated that only seven teams with a first-round pick in April 2009 played a 3-4 defense.

Kindle returned for his final season, eager to show what he could do playing closer to the ball on the defensive line. Kindle suffered a concussion when he crashed his car into an apartment building over the summer, but was fully recovered by the start of 2009 fall camp. Taking over for Brian Orakpo at the "Buck" position, he became the first player to be named a finalist for the Butkus (nation's top linebacker) and Hendricks Awards (nation's top defensive end). A first-team All-American selection by The Sporting News, he produced 58 tackles (39 solos) with six sacks, leading the team with 15.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage while starting all fourteen contests.

Read & React: A chase-down player who attacks and plays very well when free to roam. Excellent closing speed to the ball and strong reaction once a ballcarrier makes his move. Relies on his athleticism too much and his instincts are questionable. Will overrun plays and can be fooled by misdirection. Could improve his awareness by keeping eyes in the backfield when rushing the passer.

Run defense: Has the length and change-of-direction agility to hold the corner. Closes down the line well, and has improved his willingness to chase downfield. Must improve his ability to disengage from blocks of NFL-caliber tackles, or even tight ends, on the edge. Strong enough to hold his ground on run plays and stand up in the trash when fresh, but his lack of bulk causes him to tire quickly when playing every down. Will run around blocks at times. Athletic enough to avoid cuts but doesn't always use his hands well.

Pass defense: His speed and length stops receivers and backs in their tracks on screen passes to at least force them inside. Quick enough to stay with tight ends in the flat or down the seam. A step late catching bootlegs run toward him, and not quite smooth or agile enough to make up ground. Brings down receivers quickly when dropping into zone from linebacker spot. Needs work on route recognition. Knocks down passes on the line and in coverage using his long arms, but does not have great hands for the interception.

Tackling: Has very good closing speed. Difficult to avoid in space as he can break down and quickly change direction. Has the length to wrap up ballcarriers in the open field or shut down the edge after getting off outside blocks. Strong enough to arm-tackle backs and receivers. Proved more than capable on special teams early in his career because of his size and speed.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Owns prototypical height, length and speed for an elite pass rusher. Quick off the snap whether lined up with his hand down or standing up. Explodes into quarterback. Can turn the corner and square to the quarterback quickly. Flashes a bull rush against tackles, but does not get off straight-on blocks to get secondary pressure. Stops his rush effort after initial contact. Gets picked up by running backs too easily, tries to dance around them instead of attacking.

Intangibles: Nagging injuries, off-field issues and inconsistency are red flags to scouts. A quiet leader in the locker room who doesn't act out when things are down or let negative press get to him. Father of Sergio, Jr.

Kindle started 25-of-46 games at Texas, including 11 at strong-side linebacker and fifteen at defensive end … His official NCAA statistics read, 151 tackles (106 solos), 16.5 sacks for minus-120 yards, 33.5 stops for losses of 166 yards and 18 quarterback pressures … Caused three fumbles and recovered three others … Also deflected five passes and blocked a kick … Added 14 tackles (nine solo) for the special team coverage unit.

All;-American first-team selection by The Sporting News as a defensive end, earning third-team honors as a linebacker from the Associated Press … Became the first player to ever be named a finalist for the Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker) and Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end) … Added first-team All-Big Twelve Conference recognition from

the Austin American-Statesman and San Antonio Express-News, adding second-team accolades from the league's coaches, Associated Press, Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram … Twice named the team's Most Productive Performer on defense …

Recorded 58 tackles (39 solos) while starting all fourteen games at the "Buck" (left defensive end) position … Finished third on the team and 17th in the conference with six sacks for minus-48 yards, adding 10 quarterback pressures … Paced a unit that that led the nation in rush defense (72.36 yards per game), ranked third in total defense (251.93 yards per game) and second in sacks generated (3.14 points per game) … Made 50 plays vs. the ground game, holding those ballcarriers to minus-14 yards, one touchdown and just three first downs … In addition to his tackles for loss, he stopped six rushers at the line of scrimmage for no gain, making six third-down stops in run force.

Earned All-American honorable mention by Sports Illustrated … Consensus All-Big Twelve Conference first-team choice … Played in 13 games, including 11 starts -- nine at strong-side outside linebacker before shifting to the "Buck" position vs. Baylor and Kansas … Played in reserve vs. Arkansas and Oklahoma … Ranked third in the conference and 21st in the nation with ten sacks for minus-71 yards, as his 12.5 stops for losses of 78 yards ranked tied for eighth in the league … Registered 45 tackles (36 solos) with five pressures … Recovered two fumbles and caused another … Deflected two passes and also blocked a kick vs. Texas Tech … Helped the Longhorns rank first in the league in scoring defense (18.8 ppg/18th NCAA), total defense (342.92 yards per game), rushing defense (83.54 yards per game/third NCAA) and second in pass efficiency defense (124.2 rating).

Appeared in eight games at linebacker and on special teams … Missed the Kansas State game with a right knee injury and the Oklahoma State game with a stinger … Named one of UT's Outstanding Defensive Newcomers … Part of a unit that allowed just 93.38 yards rushing per game (sixth in the NCAA) … Recorded 29 tackles (19 solos) with an assisted sack, four stops for losses of 18 yards and three pressures … Also made six tackles (5 solos) on special teams and deflected one pass.

Appeared in 11 games as a reserve strong-side linebacker and on special teams … Missed the first two games of the season due to an ankle injury suffered in fall camp … Registered 19 tackles with two stops for losses of 4 yards … Posted eight tackles (4 solos) on special teams.

2006: Suffered a high ankle sprain on the second day of fall training camp and missed the team's first two games of the season while recovering.

2007: Suffered a knee sprain in the second quarter vs. Rice (9/22), missing the next game vs. Kansas State (9/29) … Sat out the Oklahoma State clash (11/03) due to a neck stinger.

Campus: 4.71 in the 40-yard dash … 1.70 10-yard dash … 2.76 20-yard dash … 4.53 20-yard shuttle … 7.26 three-cone drill … 36.5-inch vertical jump … 9'10" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times … 33 1/4-inch arm length … 10-inch hands.

2007: Kindle was arrested in late July on a charge of driving while intoxicated after a traffic stop, police said. The sophomore was taken into custody around 2:30 a.m. after failing a field sobriety test, according to Austin police. He was later released from Travis County Jail. He was suspended for the first three games by head coach Mack Brown. He was held out of the first couple of days of fall practice in order to visit with a woman whose child was crippled by a drunk driver, Brown said. He did not identify the woman. Kindle also had to perform some form of community service on behalf of the team before they he was allowed to play. "I think we've got to send a message and kids have to learn," Brown said. "It is a good opportunity for our football team to step up and talk about how serious we feel about drinking and driving."

2009: On June 24, Kindle ran his car into an Austin, Texas, building and left the scene of the accident, according to his attorney. Kindle hit his head during the wreck and suffered a concussion when he ran off the street and into a West Campus residence early Wednesday morning, the Austin American-Statesman has reported. "He knew he was hurt at the time and that he needed to go home and go to bed," Brian Roark, Kindle's lawyer, told the newspaper. Roark said the incident occurred at 2:50 a.m. ET and that Kindle was probably text messaging before the accident, the American-Statesman reported. According to witnesses, Kindle and several occupants got out of the car and pushed it out of the residence and down the road before abandoning it, police said. Roark said Kindle contacted the apartment's management Thursday when he woke up, according to the report. Police said the accident was under investigation and no charges had been filed. Texas law doesn't appear to cover leaving the scene of accidents resulting in damage to buildings. According to the state's transportation code, a driver who fails to leave a note at the scene providing the name of the operator, owner of the car and circumstances of a collision with an unattended vehicle faces a Class C misdemeanor if the damage is less than $200, a Class B misdemeanor if it is more. A statement from the apartment's management company estimated the damages to the exterior wall of the building at $8,700, the newspaper reported … A remorseful Sergio Kindle told reporters at the Big Twelve Conference media days that he learned a valuable lesson last month after crashing his car into an Austin apartment building while he was text messaging. Kindle said that Texas head coach Mack Brown has already taken disciplinary action vs. him, but declined to provide specifics. The punishment, Kindle said, will not include suspensions from either games or practices. "There were some disciplinarian things," Kindle told Inside Texas, "but I'd rather not talk about them." Kindle said the June 24 accident was a wake-up call to him that he said will help build his responsibility in the future. He has spent most of the past few weeks trying to rebuild his credibility with teammates. No charges have been filed vs. Kindle because of the accident. Kindle told reporters he wasn't drinking at the time of the crash. He sustained a concussion and was treated by team doctors the following day. Brown said that he plans to lecture his team in the next several days about the perils of texting while driving. "I know I've done it," Brown said. "I've got to quit checking my messages when I'm at stop signs."

Attended Woodrow Wilson (Dallas, Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Bobby Estes … Earned Parade All-American honors and was a Parade Player of the Year finalist … Also named the Parade AFL Ironman (best two-way player nationally), adding the Old Spice Red Zone National Player of the Year Award to his resume … Earned first-team All-American recognition from USA Today and was the only Texas player to earn All-State honors on both offense and defense as a senior … Recorded 411 tackles and 55 stops behind the line of scrimmage as a linebacker, as he also competed as a running back, rushing for 5,632 yards and 86 touchdowns over his final three seasons … Was the starting center on the basketball team and also lettered in track, running in the 400m, 4x400-meter relay while also competing in the long jump.

Graduated in December, 2009 with a degree in Youth and Community Studies … Member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll (Spring 2008) … Active in UT's community service program … Part of a group of Longhorns that regularly visits patients at the Austin Children's Hospital … Born 9/20/87 in Los Angeles, California … Resides in Dallas, Texas.