Predicting how the Texas defense will look in 2022 after NSD1

Way-too-early prediction on how the Texas defense will look next season.

The Texas defense quite frankly had one of the worst seasons in program history in 2021.

Stopping the run felt like an impossible task for Pete Kwiatkowski’s unit. The Horns constantly got gashed on the ground by almost every opponent on their schedule. Texas allowed 100-yard rushers in nine out of 12 games on the season.

As bad as the run defense was for Texas, the pass rush was not much better. Texas finished in the bottom half in the Big 12 in both sacks and quarterback pressures.

The Texas staff heavily targeted the front seven in the 2022 recruiting class. Out of the 26 players Texas signed during the early signing period, nine of which play in the front seven.

Justice Finkley and J’Modd Tapp are two edge rushers who may see the field early next season.

The biggest move Texas made on signing day was flipping cornerback Terrance Brooks from Ohio State. Brooks and safety BJ Allen will help replace the loss of Josh Thompson and BJ Foster in the secondary.

Here is an early prediction of how the Texas defense will look in 2022.

Editor’s note: This list will not contain any unsigned players or transfers