The first look at Chris Ash’s defense
One of the biggest questions surrounds the defense for the Texas Longhorns. Former Longhorn and current New Orleans Saints’ Malcolm Roach pulled no punches in a predraft interview about the issues with the defense under Todd Orlando. He’s out and former Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash is in. How will the revamped defense look in 2020? We get a sneak peak on Saturday night.
Joseph Ossai stood out on defense last year in the season finale bowl win for Texas. He finished three sacks and that bodes well for the Longhorns defense in 2020. Generating pressure was an ongoing issue a season ago and with Ossai moving to the Jack role, that should greatly improve. Factor in the Ta’Quon Graham, Moro Ojomo and Keondre Coburn, that is a stout front four.
Vernon Broughton Jr and Alfred Collins are also expected to be in the mix with T’Vondre Sweat. Ash commented that Graham and Coburn might be one of the best interior duos in all of college football. The Longhorns are expecting to be much better up the middle of the defense. The improved pass rush should also help the back end.
You know about D’Shawn Jamison who converted from receiver. He looks to lock down one side of the field. Chris Brown takes over at safety next to the wolf Caden Sterns. Josh Thompson one season removed from injury will be the other corner with Chris Adimora in the spur. Sterns will need to be the freshman sensation he was on the back end. That is where pressure helps.
It all gets started Saturday night at 7 pm CST.