Tag: d’shawn jamison

Experienced defenders face a prove it year for Texas in 2022

Veteran defenders will be asked to prove themselves this season.

The Texas Longhorns will be asked to prove themselves on the field this season. That reality is as true for veteran defenders as it is for any other Texas player.

The pressure is off new potential starters, such as Byron Murphy, Barryn Sorrell, Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, Jaylan Ford and Ryan Watts. Presumably, they simply had to prove they were worthy of significant playing time. Other players have much more to prove heading into the 2022 season.

D’Shawn Jamison perhaps sits at the top of that list. Jamison has flashed star quality at cornerback and as a returner, but perhaps has yet to reach his full potential. The veteran cornerback has been an interception machine in fall practices, which should come as no surprise.

Similarly, DeMarvion Overshown and Keondre Coburn have been praised for their efforts this offseason. Both highly talented prospects have a lot to gain from a great season this year.

Ovie Oghoufo takes a different path but has similar circumstances, as he will need a strong season to improve his standing with NFL scouts.

The high volume of players in need of a bounce back season could spark the defense to a strong performance this year.

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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’ D’Shawn Jamison selected to Paul Hornung Award watch list

Preseason honors continue to roll in for members of the Longhorns.

Preseason honors continue to roll in for members of the Longhorns as defensive back and return specialist D’Shawn Jamison has been named to the 2022 Paul Hornung Award watch list.

The honor is rewarded annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in college football.

Jamison certainly fits the bill of a versatile player for Texas. The fifth-year senior has played in 48 games at multiple spots in the defensive backfield along with serving as the team’s primary kickoff and punt returner.

In his Texas career thus far Jamison has made 115 total tackles, snagged four interceptions and 10 pass breakups. On special teams he has brought back three kicks for scores while averaging 26.6 yards per kick return, both stats good for second in program history.

Here is a full look at the 2022 Paul Hornung Award watch list.

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WATCH: Texas DB D’Shawn Jamison picks off Quinn Ewers and takes it to the crib

Jamison with the pick-six!

Now that the 2021 season is in the rearview mirror, the Longhorns are looking to correct all their weaknesses from the dreadful 5-7 season.

Texas struggled in just about every aspect when it came to defense, and one of the things that hurt the most was their inability to force a turnover. The Longhorns ranked No. 94 in the country in turnovers forced with just 14 on the season.

However, with the defense finally getting to be in the same system for a second year in a row for, plays are being made. Fifth-year senior D’Shawn Jamison is looking to hold off the young bucks gunning for his spot, and made a fantastic play during the most recent scrimmage. Jamison picked off Ohio State transfer Quinn Ewers, and returned it all the way back for a touchdown.

Along with consistency along the defensive coaching staff, Texas may also be seeing benefits from the hiring of Gary Patterson. The former TCU head coach is widely considered a defensive back whisperer, and Longhorns fans are hoping that he and Kwiatkowski can turn around what was one of the worst defenses in the country in 2021.

Jamison headlines a relatively inexperienced secondary, and will really need to step up as a leader on and off the field in order to make up for losing a majority of their starters from last season.

Grading each position group on Texas’ defense

Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is tasked with turning around Texas’ defense in 2022.

Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is tasked with turning around Texas’ defense in 2022.

The Longhorns defense finished outside the top 100 in total defense a season ago. Stopping the run needs to be a point of emphasis this offseason. Texas allowed over 200 rushing yards per game under Kwiatkowski in his first season leading the defense.

Texas is returning key senior starters at each level of the defense in linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, defensive back D’Shawn Jamison and defensive tackle Keondre Coburn. Year No. 2 in Kwiatkowski’s system should benefit the entire defensive unit.

The offseason roster additions from the transfer portal and 2022 recruiting cycle brought in some talented new faces.

Using overall talent, depth and experience as key factors, here is a ranking of each position group on Texas’ defense.

Eight Longhorns who could see their draft stock skyrocket in 2022

2022 will be a prove-it year for many Texas players.

Texas received an unexpected gift this offseason as DeMarvion Overshown, D’Shawn Jamison and Keondre Coburn decided to come back for one final season.

All three guys were eligible for the 2022 draft but will try their luck again in 2023. The trio has combined for over 80 starts in the past four seasons.

2022 will be a bit of a “prove-it” season for many around the program. Steve Sarkisian needs to improve in the win-loss column to gain trust he is the guy for the job, a talented group of transfers come in looking for a chance to make an impact, and many returning players are trying to go out on a high note.

A bounce-back 2022 campaign would most definitely mean more Horns represented in the 2023 NFL draft. Only cornerback Josh Thompson and kicker Cameron Dicker received NFL combine invitations this year.

Here are eight Longhorns who could see their draft stock skyrocket with a big 2022 season.

Early position outlook: Texas will have huge battles at DB

There will be new faces all over the defensive backfield

While most of the attention in terms of position battles has been placed on the quarterbacks, offensive line, and even the defensive line there is still one more position group that might have the biggest position battle of them all.

The defensive back group for Texas is one to watch out for, as there will be new faces all over the field after the Longhorns lost Josh Thompson (NFL), Darrion Dunn (graduation), Brenden Schooler (graduation), and B.J. Foster (Sam Houston State). The only two returners they have that started last season are corner D’Shawn Jamison and Anthony Cook who played at the “star” position.

This gives room for players like sophomore Jahdae Barron, sophomore Jerrin Thompson, and sophomore Kitan Crawford. Each has seen some time in their two years and has the opportunity to solidify their roles.

It will not be an easy task to win a starting job, however, as the Longhorns brought in a slew of talented defensive backs. In their 2022 class the staff added four-star Terrance Brooks and four-star Jaylon Guilbeau. Both of them are early enrollees and are looking to fight for time right away.

Texas was also able to add some experience via the transfer portal in Ryan Watts out of Ohio State, who has the versatility to play either corner or safety.

The biggest addition of the offseason may not even be a player, as the Longhorns were able to convince Gary Patterson to cross enemy lines and accept an assistant to the head coach role. Patterson will be able to provide feedback on personnel and strategy.

Texas will need all the help they can get, as the pass defense was average at best last season They ranked as the No. 62 team in terms of passing yards allowed giving up 224 per game, and over 10 yards per completion.

The Longhorns did miss out on multiple transfers that could have added more experience and tangible college production, and it doesn’t seem they will get a chance to add anyone else. These position battles may be one of the most intense on the roster, and right now the only defensive back who realistically has their spot close to solidified is Cook. Every other starting spot in the defensive backfield should be up for grabs.

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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

Texas DL Keondre Corburn will return for 2022 season

More good news for Texas as Keondre Coburn will return for 2022.

Texas starting defensive lineman Keondre Coburn will put a hold on his professional career and return to Texas for the 2022 season. Continue reading “Texas DL Keondre Corburn will return for 2022 season”