A handful of topics came to light in the first press conference of fall camp on Tuesday. For the defense, the defining issue discussed involved pass rush.
Texas did not have one last season, and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski was not shy in noting that fact.
Orangebloods’ Anwar Richardson began asking about the struggling pass rush. Kwiatkowski responded by asking, “what pass rush?”
In a sense, it was a jarring answer. That said, it was certainly a self-aware quip.
There was no pass rush last year. That undoubtedly was not all Kwiatkowski’s fault.
For a number of recruiting cycles Texas has stockpiled defensive tackles but missed on edge rushers. In doing so, they handed over a roster that has forced their defensive coordinator to call plays left handed.
Kwiatkowski can coach a defense. The question this season is, can he coach a defense that the prior staff constructed without much forethought?
Below are a few players he may turn to for quarterback pressures in 2022.