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LAMARR HOUSTON
Defensive Tackle/End
University of Texas Longhorns
6:02.6-305
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Doherty High School
OVERVIEW **
During his Longhorn career, Houston developed from a cat-quick, pass rushing defensive end into one of the more dominant, physical interior defenders, consistently winning battles at the point of attack. With the hand technique and spin moves he developed playing on the edge, few offensive guards can mirror his moves when Houston is pursuing ball carriers working down the line.
The three-time member of the University of Texas' Athletics Director's Honor Roll, Houston is an instinctive pass rusher who plays with a wide base vs. the run, having a good feel for locating the ball quickly. His field vision and intelligence has allowed the Longhorns staff to stunt him often, as he has good knowledge for handling assignments in a variety of roles.
Houston has also been utilized on special teams and as a fullback to root out linebackers in short yardage and goalline situations. In 50 games at Texas, he started 33 times, playing with the first unit as a "power" end, "quick" end and right defensive tackle.
Houston earned Parade and EA Sports All-American honors as a linebacker at Doherty High School, where he also excelled as a running back. The two-time All-State selection was named the *Rocky Mountain News *Colorado Defensive Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year for Colorado as a senior.
One of only three juniors chosen to the All-State squad, he added first-team All-Conference, second-team All-Area and first-team All-City honors as a sophomore while playing fullback and defensive end. He would finish his career with 3,325 yards rushing and 49 touchdowns to go along with 239 tackles and 13 sacks in three seasons. He posted over 100 tackles in each of his final two prep campaigns and averaged 8.1 yards per carry (411 attempts) for his career.
As a senior, Houston rushed for 1,770 yards and 28 touchdowns on 230 carries (7.7 ypc). He also made 101 tackles, including 19 stops for loss, eight sacks, an interception and three fumble recoveries. His top performance came when he rushed for 339 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries in a win over Gateway in 2005.
The first-team All-Conference linebacker and fullback rushed for 779 yards and 11 scores on 70 attempts (11.1 ypc) and tallied 100 tackles, two sacks and three fumble recoveries during his junior season. He carried 111 times for 776 yards (7.0 ypc) and 10 touchdowns to go along with 38 tackles and three sacks as a sophomore. He also played fullback and middle linebacker as a freshman.
In addition to football, Houston lettered three times in basketball as a power forward. He also competed in the discus, shot put and 100-meter hurdles in track and field, placing first in the city and sixth in the state in the discus as a senior with a throw of 163-0.
Houston was inserted into the mix at "power" (right) defensive end as a true freshman. In 11 games, he totaled eight tackles (four solos) and registered a sack, two stops for loss and a pair of pressures.
As a sophomore, he shifted to "quick" (left) defensive end, starting 11 contests as he earned All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention. Named UT's Outstanding Defensive End, he collected 45 tackles (20 solos) and had 4.5 sacks among his 10.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He added eight pressures, deflected three passes and even tried his hand as a kickoff returner, with a 27-yard runback vs. Arizona State.
Houston played most of his junior season with a foot injury. He shifted to right defensive tackle, as the then 279-pounder started eight games. He was suspended for the Texas-El Paso contest due to an off-field issue, resulting in him having a trying 2008 season. He was a second-team Academic All-Big Twelve Conference pick, as he totaled 23 tackles (16 solos) with six stops for loss and seven pressures.
Houston has been active in UT's community service program. He is part of a group of Longhorns that regularly visits patients at the Austin Children's Hospital and participates in activities for Mothers vs. Drunk Driving. He also spoke during a program called "Smart Girls" that builds self-esteem in young girls.
Houston established himself as one of college football's dominant interior lineman. Now pushing a rock-solid 300 pounds, the All-Big Twelve Conference first-team pick led a unit that ranked first in the nation vs. the run (72.36 ypg) in 2009. He recorded a career-best 60 tackles (40 solos), as he had 7.0 sacks and ranked sixth in the league with 17.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage. **
CAREER NOTES **
Houston appeared in 50 games at Texas, starting 12 contests at defensive end and 21 more as a defensive tackle…The three-time member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll, he recorded 136 tackles (80 solos) with 14.0 sacks for minus 125 yards, 25.0 stops for losses totaling 170 yards and 27 pressures…Caused and recovered a pair of fumbles…Deflected 11 passes…Made six tackles (3 solos) on special team action and also returned a kickoff 27 yards. **
2009 SEASON **
All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report and the San Antonio Express-News, adding second-team honors from the league's coaches, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram *and Associated Press…Was named the team's Most Productive Performer in five contests…Member of UT's Athletic Director's Honor Roll…Added Academic All-Big Twelve honors…Bulked up to 300 pounds during the off-season, pacing a squad that led the nation in rush defense (72.36 ypg), ranked third in total defense (251.93 ypg) and second in sacks generated (3.14 pg)…Recorded 60 tackles (40 solos) with seven sacks for minus 49 yards, 17.0 stops for losses of 69 yards (tied for sixth in the league) and 10 pressures…Deflected four passes and had two fumble recoveries…On 60 running plays directed at him, Houston held those ball carriers to 24 yards (0.40 ypc), two first downs and no touchdowns, as he killed eight scoring drives with one fourth-down and seven third-down stops…In addition to his seventeen tackles for loss, he stopped runners at the line of scrimmage for no gain ten times…Made six of his stops inside the red zone, including two on goal-line stands. *
2008 SEASON **
Academic All-Big Twelve Conference selection and named to the UT's Athletic Director's Honor Roll…Shifted to right defensive tackle, starting eight of the twelve games he played in…Registered 23 tackles (16 solos) with 1.5 sacks for minus 6 yards and six tackles for losses of 17 yards while coming up with seven pressures and four pass deflections…Helped the Longhorns rank third in the nation in rush defense (83.54 ypg) and pace the NCAA in sacks generated (3.62 spg)…Texas led the conference in total defense (342.92 ypg) and scoring defense (18.77 ppg). **
2007 SEASON **
Associated Press All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention…Named the team's Outstanding Defensive End, starting eleven contests at the "quick" end position…Part of a unit that led the conference and ranked sixth nationally in rush defense (93.38 ypg), as he totaled 45 tackles (20 solos) with 4.5 sacks for minus 56 yards…Registered 10.5 stops for losses of 69 yards to go with eight QB pressures…Caused a fumble and deflected three passes…Made one solo tackle on special teams and returned a kickoff 27 yards vs. Arizona State in the Holiday Bowl. **
2006 SEASON **
Played in 11 games while being listed third on the depth chart at "power" defensive end…Also performed on special teams, as he registered eight tackles (4 solos) with a 14-yard sack, two stops for losses of 15 yards and two pressures…Added three tackles (1 solo) with the coverage units. **
HIGH SCHOOL
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Attended Doherty (Colorado Springs, Colo.) High School, playing football for head coach Mike Sirko…Earned Parade and EA Sports All-American honors as a linebacker…Also excelled as a running back…Two-time All-State selection…Named the Rocky Mountain News *Colorado Defensive Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year for Colorado as a senior...One of only three juniors chosen to the All-State squad, he added first-team All-Conference, second-team All-Area and first-team All-City honors as a sophomore while playing fullback and defensive end…Finished his career with 3,325 yards rushing and 49 touchdowns to go along with 239 tackles and 13 sacks in three seasons…Posted over 100 tackles in each of his final two prep campaigns and averaged 8.1 yards per carry (411 attempts) for his career…As a senior, Houston rushed for 1,770 yards and 28 touchdowns on 230 carries (7.7 ypc)…Also made 101 tackles, including 19 stops for loss, eight sacks, an interception and three fumble recoveries…His top performance came when he rushed for 339 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries in a win over Gateway in 2005…The first-team All-Conference linebacker and fullback rushed for 779 yards and 11 scores on 70 attempts (11.1 ypc) and tallied 100 tackles, two sacks and three fumble recoveries during his junior season…Carried 111 times for 776 yards (7.0 ypc) and 10 touchdowns to go along with 38 tackles and three sacks as a sophomore…Also played fullback and middle linebacker as a freshman…Lettered three times in basketball as a power forward…Also competed in the discus, shot put and 100-meter hurdles in track and field, placing first in the city and sixth in the state in the discus as a senior with a throw of 163-0. *
PERSONAL **
Graduated in December 2009 with a degree in Corporate Communications, earning the UT's Athletic Director's Honor Roll recognition three times…Cousin, Stan Gill, was a tailback at Stanford University (1985)…Born 6/24/87 in San Francisco, California, he moved to Sacramento at age five until age nine, then moving to Colorado…Resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
