Locked on Longhorns Podcast: Depth chart predictions, new defensive scheme

Patrick Conn breaks down Texas football’s depth chart predictions and touches on the new defensive scheme under Pete Kwiatkowski.

“Locked on Longhorns” host Patrick Conn begins the show by diving into the depth chart predictions for Texas football next season.

Who is the favorite to win the quarterback battle now that Sam Ehlinger has chosen to declare for the NFL draft? Is Casey Thompson or Hudson Card in more prime position to take over for Steve Sarkisian? Running back, wide receiver (H) and wide receiver (Z) seem fairly cut and dry. Two positions that might be a little murkier are tight end and wide receiver (X). Who are the leading candidates to win those starting roles?

The next segment is all about the big boys up front. With left tackle Samuel Cosmi off to the NFL, where does Texas turn for the new blindside blocker? Andrej Karic is the name to watch. Karic played 106 snaps in 2020 and didn’t give up a single sack. Junior Angilau at left guard and Denzel Okafor at right guard seem like locks. Jake Majors, much like Karic, took a step forward as the center where Kerstetter was moved back out to tackle. At right tackle, it could come down to Derek Kerstetter and Christian Jones. Will Kerstetter win that battle?

To close the show, Conn takes a look at the new defensive scheme that Pete Kwiatkowski will bring to Austin. He likes to run the 2-4-5 that looks like the 4-2-5. Who could be the outside pass rushers in this scheme? The interior seems a lot easier to peg with Keondre Coburn and Alfred Collins. Conn also touches on inside linebacker fits, who could play the rover safety position and the starters in the secondary.