Tag: texas defense

Examining Texas’ edge rusher outlook for 2024

Texas projects to be scary good at edge rusher in 2024.

Outsiders project a bleak outlook for the Texas football team in 2024. The effort to overstate how much the Longhorns will lose is not only pathetic but inaccurate.

Texas is going to lose several great players. That’s undeniable. The Longhorns are set to lose their four top pass catchers in Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jordan Whittington.

The team will also lose two elite college defensive tackles in Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat along with crucial contributing linebacker Jaylan Ford and nickelback Jahdae Barron.

Edge rusher will be more kind to Texas over the 2024 offseason. The returning talent alone is enough to get excited about for the coaching staff. The Longhorns should return edge rushers Barryn Sorrell and Ethan Burke barring a surprise. Sorrell could leave for the NFL draft, but that would not project to be a wise decision. Both have a 5-plus sack season under their belt.

The returning depth at the position is strong. Justice Finkley has made plays in limited opportunities. We haven’t yet seen what first-year edges Colton Vasek and Tausili Akana can do. What Texas adds will bring more intrigue and excitement in regard to what the Longhorns can produce at edge.

Five-star freshman Colin Simmons and four-star Zina Umeozulu are set to join the position group adding more individual talent. Simmons, like 2023 freshmen Anthony Hill, Malik Muhammad, Derek Williams, Cedric Baxter Jr. and Johntay Cook, may be a significant contributor from the start.

Edge rush should be a strength for the Texas defense in 2024. It could bode favorably for the team against lesser pass protectors.

Prediction entered for Texas to land UTSA transfer edge Trey Moore

Texas is the favorite to land the No. 1 edge in the transfer portal.

Texas is emerging as the favorite to land the No. 1 edge in the transfer portal. Continue reading “Prediction entered for Texas to land UTSA transfer edge Trey Moore”

Looking at what could be Texas’ undoing in pass coverage

Will Texas be more aggressive or continue to allow pitch and catch throws on third and fourth down?

The Texas Longhorns defense was one of the better defenses in the Big 12 last season. Even so, it had one fatal flaw, and it cost the team dearly in a loss against Texas Tech.

The Longhorns struggled particularly in allowing inside leverage routes. It didn’t appear the team did much to stop it. Last season Texas ranked No. 9 in the Big 12 conference in yards per snap (7.6) against the pass when opponents threw to an inside leverage route. Slant and sit routes against Texas Tech come to mind, although dig routes would certainly be included.

Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski might be conceding shorter routes against some offensive attacks to avoid allowing the explosive play. Even so, the adjustments for the defense will need to come on third and fourth down where the Longhorns were horrendous early last season.

The Longhorns defense allowed a 41.3% conversation rate on third down compared to its offense’s 38.8% third down conversion rate. The trend continued on fourth down where opponents converted 57.1% of their fourth down attempts. Comparatively, the Texas offense converted 54.6% of their fourth down tries.

Texas has to win third and fourth down, and certainly can’t lose each by just under 3%. Doing so is how the team lost five close games. The Longhorns will look to improve on money downs in 2023.

Byron Murphy to be a key player for Texas in 2023

It’s Byron Murphy’s time to shine.

While Texas benefits from returning many starters on both sides of the ball, the handful of players they did lose were crucial in multiple aspects.

Running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson were both vocal leaders for the offense and team last season, while also being two of the best players on the entire roster. Same with linebacker DeMarvion Overshown who is also off the NFL, and to a lesser degree in terms of impact defensive linemen Moro Ojomo and Keondre Coburn.

While linebacker will be locked down by Jaylan Ford, the defensive line will be relying on Byron Murphy in a major way in 2023. Something he discussed in a recent interview with On3 when asked about players who have stepped up as leaders.

“Me, of course,” Murphy said. “I’m trying to be more vocal. Last year, I wasn’t. But this year, I’m trying to be more vocal. I’ve got a bigger role obviously this year.”

Murphy, along with T’Vondre Sweat and Minnesota transfer Trill Carter, will be in charge of clogging the rushing lanes and collapsing the pocket on the quarterbacks. Last season, Murphy recorded 26 tackles with three tackles for loss and one sack.

He is confident that he and the team are aware of what it takes to win now, which is something Texas fans have been dying to see.

“I feel like we, as a team, all understand Sark’s philosophy,” Murphy said. “We get it now. We know what it takes. We know what it takes to win. The past few seasons, we’ve been through a lot of stuff. We know what it takes. We know what he wants from us. Now we’ve got to deliver it.”

The Longhorns are the favorites to win the Big 12 this season and also are viewed as a potential College Football Playoff contender.

Texas’ defense viewed as make or break for their lofty 2023 goals

The Longhorns have a talented offense but it is their defense that can determine whether they succeed.

The 2023 college football season is one that Texas fans are hoping will live up to expectations. Continue reading “Texas’ defense viewed as make or break for their lofty 2023 goals”

Texas’ pass rush in 2023 remains one of their biggest question marks

The Longhorns struggled to bring down the quarterback this past season.

The Longhorns have found themselves in a very peculiar situation when it comes to getting to the quarterback.

Texas showcased a much improved defense under Pete Kwiatkowski this past season, so much that they ranked among the top-30 defenses in the country. A number that likely could have dramatically improved had they been better against the pass. The Longhorns had success in terms of putting pressure on the quarterback, but when it came to bringing him down they ranked No. 78 in the country.

They accumulated just 27 sacks as a team and averaged slightly over two sacks a game. If they improve that number it will help out the secondary by not having to stay in coverage for as long, and it will also make a huge difference between them being 8-5 and them possibly making the playoff.

It’s something that 247Sports’ Josh Pate talked about recently when discussing the biggest questions about Texas.

The Longhorns did add a major disruptor from the transfer portal in Minnesota’s Trill Carter who will likely help in making the quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket. It will however be up to edge rushers such as Justice Finkley, Ethan Burke, and Barryn Sorrell to finish the job and bring the quarterback down.

Texas’ defense viewed as one of the most improved units in 2023

The Texas defense is steadily improving.

The stars are aligning for Texas in 2023 with the rest of the Big 12 in flux and other national powers appearing to have to reload at key positions. Continue reading “Texas’ defense viewed as one of the most improved units in 2023”

Texas DL Byron Murphy among On3’s spring practice standouts

“Byron Murphy appears set for a breakthrough year.”

After losing defensive linemen Keondre Coburn and Moro Ojomo to the 2023 NFL Draft, Texas will turn to Byron Murphy, T’Vondre Sweat, Ethan Burke and others to fill the void. Continue reading “Texas DL Byron Murphy among On3’s spring practice standouts”

Predicting the starting secondary for Texas football in 2023

The secondary looks to be a strength of the Longhorns’ defense in 2023.

The secondary looks to be a strength of the Longhorns’ defense in 2023. Texas has a great mix of returning production and an influx of talent in its defensive backfield.

Ryan Watts, Jerrin Thompson and Jahdae Barron have tons of snaps under their belts as Longhorns. They are joined by the transfer duo of Jalen Catalon and Gavin Holmes, along with some exciting young pieces.

Position battles between the defensive backs are one of the more intriguing storylines to follow in spring practice.

Wake Forest transfer Gavin Holmes and sophomore Terrance Brooks are competing for the cornerback spot across from Ryan Watts. Blue chip freshman Malik Muhammad is already turning heads as well.

Fourth-year safety Kitan Crawford is earning first-team snaps while Catalon deals with an injury. Crawford has been mentioned multiple times as one of the standouts of spring ball.

Texas has the chance to boast one of the best defenive back units in the Big 12 Conference. Here is a look a the predicted starter at each position ahead of the 2023 campaign.

What Jaylan Ford’s return means for Texas in 2023

Texas’ defense can make another jump in 2023.

Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford is putting the NFL on hold, announcing his return to college football for his senior season. The news of Ford coming back is massive for the Texas defense entering 2023.

Ford’s breakout junior campaign was one of the critical reasons for Texas’ three-win improvement this season. He led the defense with 119 tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Texas is losing a couple of key leaders from the defense such as DeMarvion Overshown, D’Shawn Jamison and Keondre Coburn. Ford is a prime candidate to step up into their leadership role.

Ford’s experience and presence will do wonders for the young linebackers Texas has coming in. Guys like Anthony Hill, S’Maje Burrell and Liona Lefau now have the opportunity to learn from the senior-to-be.

The talent and production Texas have returning next season makes them a favorite to win the Big 12 Conference and potentially compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

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