Now listed at 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds, the fourth-year unrecruited player, aka a walk-on, did not see game action until he played in two games last year, according to the school’s 2017 football roster.

The Grand Prarie, Texas, native called his father to share the good news and embraced his coach in appreciation while celebrating with the entire team.

Head coach Tom Herman said on Twitter that it was a \"well deserved honor for a great teammate.\"

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