Longhorns Wire is continuing the series of jersey numbers to match the days until the Texas kicks off the season. On Tuesday we find ourselves remembering number 81.
Pat Fitzgerald, Tight End (1994-96)
Fitzgerald came over from Los Angeles Valley Community College in 1994 after receiving no offers from Division 1 schools. Fitzgerald would be named first team Academic All-American and first team AP All-American in both 1995 and 1996.
By the time his collegiate career ended, Fitzgerald was the career leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns for a tight end. Fitzgerald was inducted into the Hall of Honor in 2011. He would be drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He would leave the NFL due to injuries during training camp.
Sam Acho, Defensive End (2007-10)
The older of the Acho brothers arrived in Austin for the 2007 season. Acho played defensive end for all four seasons he was eligible. He would appear in 49 games with 21 career sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss. His junior and senior seasons were breakout years for Acho when he became a focal part of the defense.
On the 2009 team that played against Alabama in the BCS National Championship, Acho finished the year with 59 total tackles, nine sacks, 13 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. The tackles and sacks were both career highs for Acho. In 2010, he would finish with 58 tackls, 15.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and five forced fumbles.
Following his senior season, Acho would receive the William V. Campbell trophy given to the nation’s top scholar athlete and the Wuerffel Trophy for his outstanding community service. He would be drafted to by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He is currently a free agent. In 2018 he served as the Vice President of the NFL Players Association.
Currently Reese Leitao wears the number 81. He was a tight end in his first two seasons on the Forty Acres. Prior to 2020 season, Leitao was converted to defensive line. In high school, his tape seemed more impressive on that side of the ball.
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