Texas Linebacker Rasheem Biles Named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week After the Ole Miss Win
Biles earned his second weekly conference honor of the season with four tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception and two pass breakups against Ole Miss — on a day the Longhorns were missing Colin Simmons.
Texas linebacker Rasheem Biles has been named the Southeastern Conference's Co-Defensive Player of the Week, Longhorns Wire reported. The honor, announced Monday, is the second weekly conference award of the season for the senior.
Biles earned it in Saturday's win over Ole Miss. He finished with four tackles, including one for a loss, and added one interception and two pass breakups, according to the report. With one of the Longhorns' main defensive pieces, Colin Simmons, out of action, Biles stepped up and made impact plays.
The season behind the honor is a career year. Through seven games, the Ohio native has 52 total tackles and three pass deflections, and his three interceptions are a career high — during his time at Pittsburgh, Biles had three interceptions in his first three seasons combined, the report said. He ranks second on the team in total tackles and first in interceptions.
His defense is putting up national numbers with him in the middle of it: Texas ranks first nationally in team passing-efficiency defense and 15th in total defense, and the Longhorns also rank 14th in the FBS in team tackles for loss and 19th in team sacks, according to the report. Up next, Texas hosts Mississippi State on Saturday night, and another conference win would improve the Longhorns' playoff odds.
