Tag: texas secondary

Texas football’s secret weapon is in the secondary

Jalen Catalon is ready to make his mark as a Longhorn.

Steve Sarkisian and Texas’ staff once again utilized the transfer portal to their advantage this offseason. The Longhorns added a handful of players expected to make a substantial impact on the team this fall.

Amongst the newcomers from the portal is former Arkansas Razorback Jalen Catalon.

The former All-American had gone a bit under the radar after a couple of injury-riddled seasons in 2021 and 2022. Catalon also missed spring practice with the Longhorns as he works to recover from a shoulder injury.

247Sports reports that Catalon’s recovery is progressing well and he is “looking forward to a big year.”

At his best, Catalon is one of the best defensive backs in college football. He is excellent in run support from his safety position, along with having a nose for being around the ball.

Catlaon pairs up with Jerrin Thompson to make up an impressive safety duo in the back end of the Texas defense. The Longhorns feel confident in what they have in the secondary with a strong mix of experience and depth.

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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.

Predicting Texas’ secondary with the addition of Jalen Catalon

Catalon immediately raises the ceiling of Texas’ defense.

Texas added another critical piece to its defense on Monday with the addition of safety Jalen Catalon. Continue reading “Predicting Texas’ secondary with the addition of Jalen Catalon”

Ryan Watts deemed one of the ‘most impactful’ DB transfers of 2022

Ryan Watts is ready to make a strong impact in the Texas secondary.

Former Ohio State defensive back Ryan Watts is one of Texas’ many key additions from the transfer portal this offseason.

Watts brings much needed experience and athleticism to the Longhorns’ secondary. He snagged two interceptions in 19 games with Ohio State playing behind a few future NFL Draft picks. With the path to playing time more clear at Texas, Watts is ready to prove himself in 2022.

On3 Sports recently ranked the top 15 “most impactful” defensive back transfers heading into the 2022 season. Watts is listed at No. 15 after standing out in spring practice.

Texas nabbed two players from Ohio State in the transfer portal who are Dallas-area natives. QB Quinn Ewers is the one who has gotten all the attention; Ryan Watts, a big corner at 6 feet 3 and 210 pounds, is the other one. Watts had a strong spring and figures to be at one of the corner spots when Texas is in its nickel package. Watts played in 19 games in two seasons, with one start, at Ohio State.

Watts is expected to play a huge role on the Texas defense looking to a bounce back campaign this fall.

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