Experience is perhaps the No. 1 predictor of success for a defensive backfield in college football. That bodes well for Texas in the upcoming season. The Longhorns are set to have four seniors start at defensive back in 2023. Each of them has multiple years of starting experience.
Ryan Watts and Jahdae Barron are set to fill two of the three cornerback spots after their emergence led to a wholly improved secondary for Texas last year. Both players possess high football intelligence with athleticism to match their ingenuity.
We expect Jalen Catalon and Jerrin Thompson to start for the team at safety. If healthy, both players are among the more dependable safeties the program will have featured in recent seasons.
The other cornerback role will be filled by one of three impressive starter candidates. The position will either feature an elite underclassman coverage prospect like Terrance Brooks or Malik (Manny) Muhammad or proven Wake Forest transfer Gavin Holmes.
When the program brought over defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, it probably wanted a product like his Washington defense that earned the nickname “Death Row.” With this secondary, you might finally see that vision come to fruition.