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When he saw the notebook for the first time, Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp knew he had found a kindred spirit in linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy.
The third-ranked Longhorns’ middle linebacker does not attend a defensive meeting or break down film without scribbling notes from every session.How many players do that?"Not many," Muschamp said. "And that’s not just here. That’s everywhere. He’s got a tremendous work ethic. We’ve got to get more guys that see his attitude and his approach to the game. That’s the type of player you really enjoy coaching because it’s almost as important to him as it is to me."For anyone who has watched Muschamp exchange chest bumps with players on the sideline or dive into the arms of fellow coaches after big wins, it is evident that football is a 24/7/365 proposition for the man who oversees the Texas defense, as well as its linebackers.Muckelroy, a fifth-year senior, shares that obsession. He’s a perpetual note-taker and question-asker for one simple reason."Basically, I don’t want to make the same mistake twice," Muckelroy said. "So I go through and look at my notes so I won’t."During the summer, Muschamp approached Muckelroy, last year’s starter at weakside linebacker, about double-training at middle linebacker to provide depth at the position. The plan was for Muckelroy, the Longhorns’ 2008 leader in tackles, to split time at both positions, with Jared Norton as his tag-team partner in the middle.When Norton suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the first game, that left "Muck" as Texas’ man in the middle. He has thrived in his new role, continuing to lead the team in tackles (38) while making more big plays. Heading into Saturday’s game against No. 20 Oklahoma (11 a.m., Cotton Bowl), Muckelroy already has eclipsed last year’s season totals by posting two sacks and six tackles for loss. His six quarterback pressures through five games also match his final 2008 line, causing Muckelroy to declare himself "very comfortable" at middle linebacker.Realistically, Muckelroy will be hard-pressed to top his 16-tackle effort in last year’s Red River Rivalry when the Longhorns (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) and Sooners (3-2, 1-0) square off Saturday to determine which team moves into the driver’s seat in the race to claim the South Division title. But he may make more memorable plays from his new position, which allows him greater flexibility to blitz and has enhanced the Longhorns’ pass rush.Texas coach Mack Brown said Muckelroy is one of a handful of defenders who has made "a huge jump" and become a "much better" player since last season, helping create what he considers the best defense he has taken into a Red River Rivalry matchup during his 12 seasons in Austin. Defensive tackle Lamarr Houston said Muckelroy is "underrated" by fans and media members."He might be one of the best linebackers in the country," Houston said. "The way he flies around and makes so many plays and so many tackles, it’s like he’s got a heat-seeker on the ball. He’s always around the ball."
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