Every month, Garner and Chris over at Mercury Exteriors pick a University of Texas athlete that might not have received the amount of credit that they deserve for their contributions in their respective sport.
We’re calling it the Unsung Hero of the Month.
The September Unsung Hero of the Month is Malik Muhammad.
The Unsung Hero:
With the first month of college football coming to a close, several preseason questions surrounding contending programs have already been answered, including one that loomed large for Texas, “Can anyone fill the shoes of Jim Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron?” Fortunately for Orangebloods Nation, Malik Muhammad has stepped up and delivered.
Filling in big shoes… and more:
In the month of September, Texas defensive back Malik Muhammad put together an impressive stat line, posting:
*Minnimum 36 snaps played*
- 4 targets against (T-3rd fewest in the SEC)
- 2 receptions allowed (T-2nd fewest in the SEC)
- 7 receiving yards allowed (T-3rd fewest in the SEC)
- 3.5 yards per reception (T-3rd fewest in the SEC)
- 0.25 yards allowed per snap in coverage (T-3rd fewest in the country amongst P4 DBs)
For comparison, here’s the stat line Jim Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron posted during the month of September last season:
*Minnimum 36 snaps played*
- 15 targets against (T-14th in the SEC)
- 9 receptions allowed (T-10th in the SEC)
- 45 receiving yards allowed (T-11th in the SEC)
- 5.0 yards per reception (6th in the SEC)
- 0.36 yards per snap in coverage
Raising the bar higher
It’s no surprise to anyone who followed the Longhorns last season that Jahdae Barron and Malik Muhammad formed a dynamic duo in Texas’ defensive backfield. But according to senior Michael Taaffe, Muhammad’s leadership has been evident since the day he arrived on the Forty Acres. When it comes to leadership on the Longhorns, Muhammad steps to the front of the line.
