 "Photo: Caleb Miller")
He’s good.
So good that his teammates don’t know what to say.
“Sergio, Sergio, Sergio’s the man,” said sophomore defensive end Sam Acho about his fellow pass-rusher. “He’s such a great worker and a really good guy.”
Everyone’s excited about theman they call the Deer.
“Every time he runs, it’s crazy,” said senior defensive tackle Roy Miller. “Derek Lokey gave him that name, because he runs like a deer. He flies so effortlessly. He’s amazing.”
Sergio Kindle came into UT as the No. 3-ranked recruit in the country but didn’t exactly fuel the hype his first two seasons.
During the 2007 season, Kindle was suspended for the first three games after being arrested for a DWI charge. And dur ing the season, Kindle still didn’t get the playing time he deserved, with Texas coaches having a history of playing the more experienced — and thus more talented — players.
But all that’s buried in the past, and Kindle’s coming off a great camp and fully recovered from his left knee scope in the spring.
“I’ve learned this defense a lot faster than the last couple basically because there haven’t been any issues that I’ve had before,” Kindle said. “I’m completely focused on football.”
Kindle’s been studying the game, taking nothing for granted. Making sure — even if it is a
nonconference game — that he knows everything backward and forward.
“Can’t underestimate anybody nowadays,” Kindle said. “We just turn to the game plan, make sure we’ve got them down to a T.”
Everyone seems to understand what he’s been through.
“You talk about his injuries, and when you can’t do what you know you can do, it’s like looking outside when you’re grounded,” Miller said. “You can’t do anything, and you’re just stuck in your room.”
But now, Kindle’s more than giddy to finally be getting out.
“I feel great,” Kindle said. “I’m ready. Whatever it may be, I’m just going to go for it.”
It’s obvious. He’s healthy, and he knows new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s playbook.
And most importantly, that playbook is giving him an opportunity to shine.
“We have different packages for Sergio,” said senior defensive end Brian Orakpo. “Sergio’s a guy that can get on the quarterback from any position.”
And sure enough, all the other factors are playing in just nicely. For now.
Coach Mack Brown has no doubt about Kindle’s talent. He knows this could be a national breakout year for his linebacker.
But Brown is also a realist.
He knows that all the other factors — health, school, family — all have to remain positive throughout the season for Kindle to live up to his potential.
“One of the real exciting things about football is you never know,” Brown said. “I watch them every day, and I still don’t know how they’ll respond in front of 100,000.”
But for now, sit back, relax and enjoy the show Kindle puts on. He’s ready. His teammates say so. And so does he. So I’ll take their word for it.
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