4. Texas Longhorns College Football Preview 2021: Defense
– The defense needs to be better – and it did improve a bit over the last few years. The tackling got stronger, but there wasn’t enough of a pass rush. There were tackles for loss, but the run defense wasn’t consistent. The D was fantastic on third downs, but couldn’t buckle down in enough key moments.
Pete Kwiatkowski (Washington and Boise State defensive coordinator) and Jeff Choate (Montana State head coach who worked for a time at Washington) get a D with nine starters from the bowl game back, but four of the top five tacklers are gone. No matter what, this group is about to get a whole lot more physical.
– The linebacking corps is going to be very interesting very quickly. Leading tacker Juwan Mitchell is leading for Tennessee, but second-leading tackler DeMarvion Overshown is an active playmaker who’ll likely move to the outside, and David Gbenda is a promising option in the middle. However, on the way are former superstar recruits – Ben Davis from Alabama and Ray Thornton from LSU – to push for time.
– The defensive front has to be more active at getting into the backfield – Joseph Ossai did most of the work with the linebacking corps helping the cause.
The tackle situation is solid with massive 348-pound Keondre Coburn on the nose and with 281-pound junior Moro Ojomo likely moving from end to tackle. There’s depth and size in this group, but Jacoby Jones has to emerge as a pass rusher on the outside.
The secondary has options, too, with all five bowl game starters returning. However, former Arizona and Oregon transfer Brenden Schooler will bring his wide receiver skills – he caught 12 passes last season for the Longhorns – and talent to the secondary where he’ll likely take over a safety gig.
– What You Need To Know: Offense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Texas Longhorns Schedule Analysis