Former Longhorn Sam Acho, fresh off a dazzling performance at the NFL combine that certainly elevated his stock for the April draft, will make an appearance Friday in Austin to help raise donations for the Christian missionary program founded and operated by his family that provides free medical and dental aid in Nigeria.

Acho will sign autographs at Russell Korman jewelers, 3806 N. Lamar, on Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Acho’s family established a missionary compound in Nigeria and each year organizes a trip through its Living Hope Ministries to provide medical care to natives. Acho and his brother, current UT linebacker Emmanuel Acho make the trip, and often take one or two Longhorns players with them.

Here is a story about the Living Hope Ministries that appeared in the American-Statesman in 2009.

Friday’s appearance by Acho will mark his first return to Austin since the combine. He has been training in Florida since early January, and it paid off Monday when he recorded the combine’s fastest time ever by a defensive lineman in the three-cone drill (6.69 seconds) and also logged a personal best time of 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Acho said Thursday that as a result of his performance at the combine, he no longer plans to run at Texas’ annual pro day on March 29 and instead will do just the position drills for defensive end and linebacker.

http://m.statesman.com/statesman/pm_21989/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=HobqMrk9