Juwan Mitchell’s entrance into the transfer portal, again, has left a hole in the middle of Texas’ defense. Last season’s leading tackler and starting middle linebacker will not be returning to the team this time, and Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate will be looking for a replacement.
In our bold predictions for the spring, Longhorns Wire mentioned that Mitchell’s loss will not hurt the team too badly — for good reason.
Based on last season’s depth chart, Jaylan Ford or David Gbenda both seem reasonable options. Each was recruited as a linebacker and each is in position to compete for Mitchell’s starting spot. However, could there be another safety to linebacker transition?
DeMarvion Overshown was moved into the box last season, thriving as an outside linebacker and becoming a real leader of Texas’ defense. On Wednesday, safety Tyler Owens hinted at the possibility of him making a similar move, joining Overshown at linebacker.
Me n @AGENT0__ In the box…đź‘€
— TO (@tylerkowens) April 7, 2021
Owens was a hard-hitting safety coming out of Plano East High School. Even better, he is one of the fastest players on the field. Owens’ personal-best 100-meter time in high school was 10.29, but he ran a 10.38 to finish second in the state at the 6A level in 2019. Good luck to opposing offenses on finding a player who can outrun Owens.
Overshown seemed to enjoy the idea as well…
Scary sightđź‘ą https://t.co/B2JQDVaSMI
— DeMarvion Overshown (@AGENT0__) April 7, 2021
Agent Zero is correct, seeing him and Owens in the same box would be a scary sight for offenses. Linebackers with coverage skills as former defensive backs are a plus, especially with how often Kwiatkowski drops eight.
Owens has struggled to see the field during his two seasons. B.J. Foster and Chris Brown have held down the strong safety spots, with the former projected to start there this season. A switch to linebacker would be a fast track to playing time for Owens.