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Come Fan with UsSunday, June 21, 2026

Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro returning for senior season

Following Texas's 21-10 win in the Holiday Bowl, the Longhorns got a nice gift from safety Kenny Vaccaro. The junior announced he won't enter the 2012 NFL Draft and will return for his senior season.

Vaccaro finished his junior season with 80 total tackles, 8 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks. Of the six sacks Texas had against California, none was more impressive than Vaccaro’s. Instead of going through a blocker, Vaccaro leaped over him to take down Cal’s Zak Maynard.

Vaccaro has shown that athleticism on several occasions this season, especially in pass coverage. That’s part of the reason why he’ll go into next season as one of the most highly rated safety prospects in the nation.

An overriding factor behind Vaccaro’s decision could be that his brother, Kevin Vaccaro, committed to Texas earlier this month.

Now the Longhorns will wait on the decision of defensive end Alex Okafor.

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