Better than last year? A look at the Texas defense by position
Texas Football produced a very successful 2023 season with the return to national prominence and a seat in the last four-team playoff. On the surface, it seems hard to say the 2024 team should be better. But it shouldn’t be.
Few believed Texas was a top-four team entering last season. Now, that’s almost universally accepted and a case could even be made Texas is the top team in the country entering the 2024 season. So, of course this team is better than the previous teams at a number of positions, especially important ones on offense.
Let’s take a look.
(Here’s the offense in case you missed it)
Defensive Tackle
We’ll start with the biggest question mark, positionally, on the team. The good news is, unlike Mark Knopfler, the position isn’t in dire straits. The bad news is, it’s not as talented as it was just a few months ago and the talent the staff does have is stylistically much different. Texas doesn’t have any true a** kickers in the phone booth like it had with T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy.
There is a good amount of battle-tested talent, notably Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton. I believe both will be drafted next April, with Collins going somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd round. Collins does possess the size to bring a more physical element to his game than we’ve seen thus far. We know he’s long and an uncommon athlete. That will remain unchained.
I loved the growth we saw out of Broughton. He has a great first step and speed to close. Though he got much better at anchoring against the run, it’s still not a strength.
Both are with the ones now but I bet we’ll see Collins and Broughton split at 3-tech so there’s always length, size, and athleticism on the field.
Tia Savea is a solid rotational player at NT but others need to step up, notably Jaray Bledsoe.
Tea leaves point us to believing Texas will add at least one more body to the mix, but even still the edge goes to 2023.
Edge: 2023 (That group would hold the edge over almost any DT collection in program history, though)
Edge
On the surface, Texas is returning both edge starters so the position group will only improve to the extent Barryn Sorrell and Ethan Burke do. But that’s not how it works. Burke has spent time rotating with Sorrell at Jack, which will happen at least some of the time next year. That will improve Jack, especially when it comes to creating pass rush.
The additions of Trey Moore and Colin Simmons have given the position a much-needed jolt of athleticism and pure pass rush ability.
The staff can play big or small depending on game context. They an mix and match the players mentioned above and also Justice Finkley and J’Mond Tapp.
Along with those six players named, there’s plenty of young bucks (pun intended) working for playing time, perhaps most notably Colton Vasek.
Edge: 2024
Linebacker
Jaylan Ford was a very good player and leader. He will be missed and in most years I’d be worried about replacing him. With Anthony Hill set to replace Ford, this isn’t most years.
As for the leadership element being lost with Ford’s departure, Texas also has David Gbenda and Morice Blackwell, in addition to Hill’s leadership qualities. (Hill isn’t ‘there’ as a leader but he’s on pace to become one)
While Hill won’t have Ford’s experience, he’s already proven to be a very quick study as his progression throughout his freshman season demonstrated. He’ll be a better linebacker in September than he is now.
Both Gbenda and Blackwell are having fine camps. Sophomore Liona Lefau is earning some plaudits for his football IQ and ability to play both Mike and Will. There’s also Kendrick Blackshire who will likely be the backup at Mike.
Texas also lost Jett Bush who did an admirable job playing Sam linebacker when the defense was in base. Trey Moore has worked at Sam and doesn’t seem like a player Texas will want to take off of the field. In addition, Blackwell has a lot of experience at the position.
Edge: 2024
Safety
Michael Taaffe was clearly the best safety on the team last year and there’s a realistic chance he’ll be the third best safety this season. I don’t discount him, he’s already overcome long odds being a w* safety. Also, safety is a position that rewards football IQ and quality tackling, two of Taaffe’s strengths. However, despite being a good athlete, Derek Williams and Andrew Mukuba are different athletes.
The overall athletic profile of the position is vastly improved. We should see headier play than last season in addition to improved athleticism.
Jelani McDonald is deserving of mention, especially given the staff’s preference to frequently rotate players.
*walkon
Edge: 2024
Cornerback and Star
Texas loses a good, steady, reliable college player in Ryan Watts. As a source put it, “Too bad he didn’t have better ball production because people would have appreciated him more.” Watts did a lot of good things that often went unnoticed. Texas will miss his physical presence.
However.
That written.
Malik Muhammad is a better coverage player with an exceptional football IQ. Watts had a good processor on him, too, so that being a strength for Muhammad is key in making the transition from the senior to sophomore. Muhammad looks like an early round draft pick.
I like Terrance Brooks. He had the misfortune of struggling in two games, both losses. He received too much blame against Washington despite often having good coverage on a stellar receiver. I think he’s headed for a big year.
Behind those two Texas has a very experienced Gavin Holmes and inexperienced but very athletic Warren Roberson.
Trading Watts for Muhammad would nearly make this a push, but we can’t forget Jahdae Barron and his increased usage at corner, as well as the growth Jaylon Guilbeau and Austin Jordan are showing this Spring at Star.
Edge: 2024
The post Better than last year? A look at the Texas defense by position appeared first on On3.
