Texas sports information

AUSTIN — The University of Texas football program announced its 2018 captains on Saturday, a week before the season kicks off on Sept. 1 against Maryland at FedExField. The five seniors named captains, as voted upon by their teammates, were tight end Andrew Beck, defensive lineman Breckyn Hager, defensive lineman Chris Nelson, offensive lineman Elijah Rodriguez and linebacker Anthony Wheeler.

Beck, a native of Tampa, Florida, was also a captain for the Longhorns in 2017 despite missing the entire season due to injury. He graduated in May with a degree in corporate communications. A fifth-year tight end, Beck has played in 37 games with 16 starts for the Longhorns. He has caught 12 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns and is on the watch list for the John Mackey Award in 2018.

Hager, a native of Austin, majoring in philosophy. He is a fourth-year defensive lineman who has played in 34 games with nine career starts. He has totaled 105 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, while adding six pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in his career. He is on the 2018 watch list for the Bednarik Award after earning honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2017.

Nelson, a native of Lakeland, Florida, graduated in May with a degree in youth and community studies. A defensive lineman, Nelson has played in 31 games with 15 career starts. He was named Academic All-Big 12 First Team last season and is a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. He has totaled 70 tackles, 10 TFL and 3.5 sacks in his career.

Rodriguez, a native of Houston, graduated in May with a degree in physical culture & sports. He is a fifth-year offensive lineman who has played in 20 games with four career starts. Rodriguez was injured during preseason camp in 2017 and returned to start at left tackle in the Longhorns’ 33-16 victory over Missouri in the Texas Bowl.

Wheeler, a native of Dallas, is majoring in sport management. He is a fourth-year linebacker who has played in 36 games with 17 career starts. He is a four-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. During his career he has registered 148 tackles, nine TFL, three sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.