Senior Sendoff: Keondre Coburn
Upon signing with Texas in 2018, Keondre Coburn promised Longhorn fans his class would beat Oklahoma. That caught the attention of Baker Mayfield, who said Coburn “has no idea what it’s like stepping into the Cotton Bowl.”
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“The team north of the Red River doesn’t flinch,” Mayfield said. “But it’s okay, you’ll see for yourself, wish you the best.”
Coburn joined the Longhorns that offseason, and while Texas topped the Sooners in 2018, Coburn had little involvement in the result. In succeeding Red River games where he was pressed into action, the Spring Westfield product came up short in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
In 2022, Coburn finally got what he was looking for in the Fair Park.
“My favorite memory would probably this year, beating OU,” Coburn said Monday. “I finally got to talk a little bit of trash to Baker and talk my stuff to OU nation. Finally getting a dub playing in that rivalry, finally getting the Golden Hat.”
Coburn has made impacts in other games, too. He recorded the game-clinching sack-fumble of Adrian Martinez versus Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan. earlier this year. He’s even received some snaps on offense when he enters as a fullback in Texas’ goal line sets.
What he’s done on defense this year has him as a candidate to be selected in the NFL draft. But Coburn hopes his five-year stint in the middle of Texas’ defense at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium ends with a win over Baylor.
“We’ve got to focus on us and beat Baylor,” Coburn said. “That’s the whole goal right there, focus on Baylor.”
What play leads off Keondre Coburn’s Texas highlight reel?
“Probably would be this year against Kansas State. The fact that I made a play to help the team get a win, amazing.”
Keondre Coburn career stats and honors
2018: 2 tackles
2019: 24 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble
2020: All-Big 12 honorable mention, 25 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1.0 sack
2021: All-Big 12 honorable mention, 15 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack
2022: 25 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
