Bama Hammer is pumping the brakes on the Texas Longhorns in 2023. Albeit, it comes with a caveat.
In a recent article by Bama Hammer’s Ronald Evans, he poked holes in the notion that the Longhorns are as good as they purport to be this season. Evans detailed his surprising doubts about the Texas defense heading into the 2023 matchup.
“The Longhorns lost some key defensive players from last season. Two of last season’s top five tacklers are gone, along with a key defensive lineman and a starting linebacker. Last season, the Longhorns had nine defenders with 40 or more total tackles and three of them are gone.”
Returning 67% of the team’s top nine tacklers poses far less concern than he thinks it poses. On the contrary, Texas returns several key players from its 2022 squad including All-American linebacker Jaylan Ford and three senior multi-year starters in the secondary. Senior transfer Jalen Catalon becomes the fourth.
As for whatever doubts arise from losing linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and defensive tackles Keondre Coburn and Moro Ojomo, the replacements aren’t that big of a drop off. Five-star linebacker Anthony Hill arrives as a player who will simply complement fellow linebacker Jaylan Ford.
Alabama fans might be familiar with T’Vondre Sweat, the backup defensive tackle that had his way with the Alabama offensive line last season. He returns alongside All-American defensive tackle hopeful Byron Murphy II and former five-star Alfred Collins.
Texas isn’t back, and we’ve said that several times. However, the team is certainly capable of beating Alabama simply by matching up good-on-good. We believe they will this season.