Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey making the most of his first season of FBS football

Life’s not too bad these days for Texas linebacker Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey. His former team, James Madison, has cracked the top 25 in its first year playing in the FBS.

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“From being an FCS team last year to coming in and being ranked just six weeks in, that’s an accomplishment,” Tucker-Dorsey said Monday.

His current Longhorn team is ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll and just won its rivalry matchup over Oklahoma by a score of 49-0, with Tucker-Dorsey recording four tackles and half a sack.

With JMU’s consistent success in the FCS and continued success this year in the Sun Belt, why did Tucker-Dorsey enter the transfer portal and seek out a new home? One reason was to play in environments like the Cotton Bowl or even Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium.

“Just wanting to play on the biggest stage was probably the biggest thing,” Tucker-Dorsey said. “JMU is a smaller school. Playing in front of 100,000 is different than playing in front of 25,000. That was probably my biggest thing, I just wanted to get a real-life college experience coming to Texas.”

That bigger stage doesn’t just apply to stadiums, where Tucker-Dorsey is constantly in environments likely more raucous than the one at Sam Houston State he said was one of the wildest crowds he played in front of with the Dukes. It applies to playing against tougher competition like Alabama, Oklahoma, and the rest of the Big 12.

Tucker-Dorsey admitted there is difference in competition between the FBS and the FCS, but he believes good players can succeed at any level. That’s what he’s trying to show this year with the Longhorns.

“If you can play, you can play,” Tucker-Dorsey said. “What people say really doesn’t matter, good or bad. If they say you’re good, you’ve still got to go out there and be good. If they say you’re bad, you can go out there and fix it by playing well.”

Tucker-Dorsey committed to the Longhorns in May, bolstering the depth in the linebacker room. Jeff Choate was Tucker-Dorsey’s point of contact, and despite a visit to Central Florida, the FCS All-American decided Austin was where he wanted to be.

Playing time was available, but a starting role was no guarantee. The presence of DeMarvion Overshown and Jaylan Ford made cracking the first 11 an unlikely scenario.

Even in predominantly second-string snaps, Tucker-Dorsey has been productive. He has recorded 18 tackles this season, 2.0 for loss, with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His play is part of a defensive effort that is much improved compared to 2021’s product.

“What makes me feel good about this defense is that we play together,” he said. “We’re a brotherhood. It’s really like a family atmosphere, and we hold each other accountable.”

Was there much of an adjustment for Tucker-Dorsey in Austin? There were the typical introductions and learning new faces, something he said Overshown and Devin Richardson were pivotal in helping him through. He mentioned Overshown often cracks a few jokes at Tucker-Dorsey’s expense.

But on the field? In his mind, it was nothing he wasn’t already accustomed to.

“Football is football, and to be successful you have to put in the work,” Tucker-Dorsey said. “I did that at JMU and I did that when I came here. Just trying to fix my game personally every year. I don’t really think there was too much of a difference or things that I had to change around.”

The one adjustment that was tough for him? Losing his beloved No. 2.

Instead of forcing Roschon Johnson to have to wear a zip-up jersey for special teams units the two shared, Tucker-Dorsey switched to No. 3.

“Don’t get me started,” Tucker-Dorsey joked.

Aside from that small detail, Tucker-Dorsey is getting everything he wanted from his Texas experience. Texas in turn is getting a good defender in an improved defense.

“Playing here has been everything that I wanted,” Tucker-Dorsey said. “I’m happy with my decision. I’m glad I made it.”