Defense
Key returners: Joseph Ossai, Caden Sterns, D’Shawn Jamison
Key losses: Brandon Jones, Malcolm Roach, Marqez Bimage
Key additions: Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton Jr
Star player: Joseph Ossai
Name to look for: Chris Brown, Chris Adimora
While the offense will get all of the headlines, the defense is the unit that will separate the team pretenders and contenders. If the defense repeats last season, they will be more of the former. Chris Ash and company will need to mold this group of talented players into an above average defense to contend for a Big 12 title.
Up front the addition of Joseph Ossai to the “Jack” will be monumental. The lack of a consistent pass rush allowed quarterbacks to stand in the pocket and deliver the football. Ossai showed what he was capable of against the Utah Utes line when he is focused on one job. When he can pin his ears back and hunt, he is a problem. Alongside him Ta’Quon Graham, Keondre Coburn and Moro Ojomo look to set the tone for this defense. The Longhorns lost their projected started at end in Marqez Bimage when he opted out of the season.
At the second level Juwan Mitchell returns as the starter in the middle at linebacker. After flirting with leaving the program, he decided to stay put and play for Chris Ash. Converted safety DeMarvion Overshown will handle weakside linebacker duties. Overshown will be allowed to roam and prevent the running game from getting going. He is a physical player that is getting his opportunity to shine in this new look defense.
At cornerback you have last year’s interception leader and return man D’Shawn Jamison. Big things are coming for him after showing out in his first year after converting from receiver. Jamison is also a highlight reel waiting to happen, just ask West Virginia about what happens when you enter the shark’s waters. Opposite of Jamison you have Josh Thompson. The former high school All-American is back after missing most of last season due to injury.
In one of the most vital spots you have the nickel cornerback. Chris Adimora was expected to challenge Anthony Cook for the role. He is slated as the starter. The former four-star safety will look to shut down the slot in this year’s defense. Adimora is bigger nickel corner but his physicality will come in handy.
At safety Chris Brown and Caden Sterns make up the tandem. Brown is projected to jump over B.J. Foster as the starter next to Sterns, the senior is expected to make plays for the defense. Last year he collected 46 tackles, two passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery. He did miss some time with a forearm injury but returned with it heavily wrapped.
Sterns looks to be the wolf in the backfield once again. After bursting onto the scene as a freshman, last year was a bit of a disappointment. He dealt with some injuries and as a whole the defense didn’t play with that same level in 2019. With a new scheme, coaches and a healthy Caden Sterns they should be at a different level. If he can recapture the freshman magic when he intercepted four passes and blocked a field goal, this defense should be difference makers.
My projected starters on defense:
| DE | Moro Ojomo |
| NT | Keondre Coburn |
| DT | Ta’Quon Graham |
| Jack | Joseph Ossai |
| MLB | Juwan Mitchell |
| WLB | DeMarvion Overshown |
| CB | Josh Thompson |
| CB | D’Shawn Jamison |
| NCB | Chris Adimora |
| S | Caden Sterns |
| S | Chris Brown |