University of Houston Athletics
Houston Lands Four on Dave Campbell's All-Texas Team
6/22/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON -- Houston sophomore defensive tackle Ed Oliver was named Dave Campbell's Best Defensive Lineman in Texas as part of a Houston quartet on Campbell's All-Texas Team.
Oliver is joined on the defensive side of the team by senior safety Khalil Williams, while senior wide receiver Linell Bonner and junior center Will Noble appear on the offensive side of the ball.
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A First Team All-American on seven teams as a true freshman last year, Oliver leads all returning defensive linemen nationally with 23 tackles for loss. He finished second nationally among all positions in tackle for loss last season while leading all defensive linemen nationally with nine pass breakups. The number also led all non-defensive backs in The American and was sixth in the league, regardless of position.
The American's Rookie of the Year, Oliver was also named Scout's Freshman of the Year and the winner of the 2016 Bill Willis Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive lineman by the Touchdown Club of Columbus.
Playing out of the tackle spot on a three-man line, he was second nationally among all defensive linemen with 47 solo tackles and 13th among all defensive linemen nationally with 66 total tackles.
Oliver's 66 tackles were second among all freshmen in The American, regardless of position, and led all freshmen defensive linemen nationally. His five sacks led all freshmen in The American. Oliver also led Houston and finished second in The American with three forced fumbles, a number that ranked second nationally among freshmen.
Bonner leads all returning receivers in The American Conference and is second among all returners nationally with 98 receptions in 2016, a number that ranked fifth nationally last season. He became the 19th player in program history to eclipse the 1,000-yard in receiving after totaling 1,118 receiving yards.
Williams was third on Houston's defense in 2016 with 69 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and two sacks to go with three pass breakups and one forced fumble. The Missouri City, Texas, native is third among all returning defensive backs in The American with his 6.5 tackles for loss last season.
In his first two seasons with the program, Noble started 20 of 21 career games played after having his redshirt removed in the sixth game of the 2015 season. That season saw the Leander, Texas, native earn Freshman All-America honors from USA Today, ESPN, Scout and the FWAA.
He leads all returning Houston offensive linemen with his 20 starts and played an integral role in Houston's 29 rushing touchdowns and 1,912 yards on the ground in 2016.
In July 2007, O'Shea was awarded the College and University Athletics Trainer of the Year Award by the Southwest Athletics Trainers Association.
