Tag: Byron Murphy

Three defensive players ready to breakout for Texas in 2022

Texas’ defense needs to show improvement this fall.

Texas enters the 2022 season looking for improved results on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s unit struggled to play consistent football much of last year. Texas finished outside the top 100 in both run defense and pass rush. Getting off the field on third downs was also a constant issue for the Longhorns.

Year No. 2 in Kwiatkowski’s system should prove beneficial for the Texas defense. Texas returns plenty of experience including the likes of super seniors De’Marvion Overshown, D’Shawn Jamison and Keondre Coburn. Those veterans are looking to end their career’s on a high note and help set Texas up well for the future.

The offseason addition of former TCU coach Gary Patterson was a major pull for Steve Sarkisian. Patterson is one of college football’s most accomplished defensive minds. He knows the Big 12 and is going to bring a fresh perspective to the coaching staff.

Here are three players ready to breakout for the Texas defense this fall.

Texas defensive players seem to be thriving in their roles

The Texas defense looks to be improved this year.

The Texas defense has seemingly impressed throughout camp. And while it’s difficult to grade the defensive line based on the unknowns on the other side, the improvement of every position group is noticeable.

While we have diverted our focus to offensive injuries and the quarterback battle, multiple defenders have been making plays.

D’Shawn Jamison has probably had the best camp in the secondary based on practice reports. Ryan Watts, Jamier Johnson and Jerrin Thompson have also been singled out for great play.

At linebacker, DeMarvion Overshown seems to have found the right role in the defense. Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey has emerged as the third linebacker that Texas needs.

The most important development is the emergence of Byron Murphy who could help this defensive line finally stand its ground up front.

Simply fixing the run defense would go a long way, but it appears the secondary has been opportunistic in camp by forcing turnovers.

Practice interceptions will not necessarily translate against offenses they don’t face every day. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging that defenders are catching interception opportunities.

Philosophical and positional changes could vastly improve the defense this season.

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Texas Football: Six questions entering the next scrimmage

Hudson Card could be the likely starter at this point.

Steve Sarkisian’s team is preparing for the second scrimmage of fall camp, and so far there are more questions than answers.

The talent is there across the board, but nobody really knows what Texas will look like in 2022.

Perhaps the biggest question facing the team is who will start at quarterback. We will likely find out not long after Saturday’s scrimmage.

There have been a number of conflicting reports across media who cover the team. Additionally, coaches are not selling the same story either. Differences in opinion tell you how close the race has become.

Some say Card is in actuality the far more decisive and better operator of the offense to this point. We won’t know if that translates to the field until he takes off the no-contact jersey and faces a live rush.

That said, it’s time to accept the idea that barring a more mentally ready Quinn Ewers than coaches have seen, Card is the likely starter at this point.

Let’s look at six questions Texas could answer in the scrimmage.

Five offseason statements made by Steve Sarkisian that inspire confidence

These quotes tell you Steve Sarkisian is making changes.

Press conferences are often not very insightful for most football teams. The opposite is true with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Sarkisian is usually contemplative and genuine in his response to questions asked by Texas media. Out of those responses, one can gather what the second-year head coach is hinting at heading into the 2022 season.

There is not tangible proof that Texas is going through a philosophical overhaul on defense, but one can gather from his offseason statements that change is on its way.

The great offensive mind has discussed various changes in defensive mentality all offseason, but recent quotes say a great deal about the core values of his defense.

As for the offense, Sarkisian detailed on how position battles can be won. Here are a few quotes that inspire trust heading into the first month of football.

Inside Texas lists six breakout candidates ahead of the 2022 season

Eric Nahlin chose three potential breakout stars on both sides of the ball.

The Texas football roster changed dramatically this offseason. Continue reading “Inside Texas lists six breakout candidates ahead of the 2022 season”

Texas football players with the most to gain from a strong fall camp

Multiple players can improve their standing within the depth chart.

With August approaching and Texas set to prepare for the 2022 season, a number of players can improve their standing within the depth chart.

Multiple positions are up for grabs, with none more important than quarterback and left tackle. Quinn Ewers and Hudson Card will battle for the right to run Sarkisian’s offense, while Andrej Karic and Kelvin Banks will battle for the premier offensive line spot.

With Xavier Worthy and Isaiah Neyor figuring to take the most snaps at receiver, Jordan Whittington, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jahleel Billingsley, Agiye Hall and others will jockey for the remaining spots.

Texas could have another open spot on the offensive line. The defense should have quite a few openings as well. Here are players with the most to gain from a strong fall camp.

POLL: Which Cardinals player should be next to get contract extension?

With Kyler Murray’s new deal done, who should be the next to get a new contract? Vote in the poll.

The Arizona Cardinals took care of their most pressing contractual issue Thursday. They agreed to terms with quarterback Kyler Murray on a contract extension worth $230.5 million that keeps him under contract through the 2028 season.

With that contract out of the way, there are a few players who are next in line for extensions.

Cornerback Byron Murphy, safety Jalen Thompson, left tackle D.J. Humphries and defensive end Zach Allen all enter the final years of their contracts. Receiver Hollywood Brown, whom they acquired in a draft-day trade this offseason, has just two years left on his deal.

All are expected to be major contributors this coming season.

Murphy, Thompson and Allen are all on their rookie contracts still. Any new deal would likely increase their hit against the salary cap. Humphries, though, has the largest cap hit on the team this season at more than $19 million. An extension would create cap space for this season.

Which player should be the next order of business for the Cardinals? Vote in the poll below.

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Power ranking Texas’ five best defensive players for 2022

These five players are elite at simply doing their job and could have a big year.

The Texas Longhorns defense struggled in 2021, but not for lack of talent. This season, they will depend on players whose best trait is simply doing their job and making the play.

Texas has the pieces to be a solid defense this season. By that I mean an average Big 12 defense. A host of defensive players will need to step up for that to happen.

DeMarvion Overshown and D’Shawn Jamison are players who could certainly have big seasons.

At safety, Anthony Cook stands to gain from a second consecutive year of reliable play in the secondary. Albeit, I’m not sure even Cook or Overshown fully know what role they will play in the Texas defense in 2022 so I’ve left them off this list.

T’Vondre Sweat, Barryn Sorrell and Keondre Coburn will also have an opportunity to leave their mark on the Texas football season.

With that said, here are my top five defensive players for 2022.

Five most critical players to a successful season for Texas in 2022

Certain players have a way of raising a team’s ceiling.

Certain players have a way of raising a team’s ceiling. Texas has a number of those players. They are sometimes called “X-Factors.”

Texas has more than a few dependable starters. We know what Bijan Robinson and Xavier Worthy can contribute in a full season.

On the offensive line, Junior Angilau is as reliable as his unit was unreliable last season. Entering his fourth season as a starter, runs behind the redshirt senior near the goal line are a safe bet to reach the end zone.

The offense and defense also have a number of wild cards. Some have yet to produce at the college level, while others bring baggage from their time at other programs.

With that said, here are five players that can change the Longhorns’ trajectory in the most significant way.

Contract extension candidates for the Cardinals entering 2022

The Cardinals have a few key players entering contract years. Here are a few of the players the team will look to extend this summer.

The Arizona Cardinals have recently been in the business of extending their own homegrown talent and they’ll likely be doing more of that this season.

The team typically negotiates new deals during training camp and the weeks leading up to the regular season. Once the season starts, however, the front office is typically focused on winning games.

Here’s a look at the main contract extension candidates for the Cardinals entering training camp.

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