Something continues to prevent Texas’ top 10 recruiting classes from producing on the field. Player development? Scheme? A mixture of both?
Head coach Tom Herman realized the Longhorns had one of the worst defensive units in college football last season, eventually hiring new defensive coordinator Chris Ash to switch to a 4-3 scheme.
Former defensive coordinator Todd Orlando ran a 3-3-5 base that many believed did not contribute to current players strengths. Orlando’s scheme focused on safeties and linebackers rather than defensive lineman.
Former defensive lineman Malcolm Roach didn’t start a single game in 2019, but his play was impressive enough to garner an invite to the 2020 NFL Combine.
Clarence Hill of Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently spoke to Roach, who believes the 4-3 scheme under Ash will benefit defensive lineman Joseph Ossai, Marquez Bimage and Taquon Graham. The Longhorns also have an incoming five-star defensive end arriving to campus this summer, Alfred Collins, who is eager to get to the quarterback.
Roach has confidence that the new defensive scheme will improve the unit as a whole.
“I think it’s a smart move. You have pass rushers out there, Taquon Graham, Marquez Bimage, Joe Ossai — guys that can get after the quarterback. You have to use those guys. That was the biggest thing that we got caught up in, not using our weapons to our full advantage. Now they brought in a new staff, giving those guys the opportunity to rush the passer and show what they have.”
He also feels Orlando’s scheme did not allow the defensive front to unleash their full potential.
“That style of play didn’t transfer to the NFL and the NFL didn’t understand what type of player this guy was. Or what type of player they would be getting because of the scheme we ran. I just feel 3-4 didn’t let us showcase our abilities the way we wanted to. But we understood why we were running it. I feel the 4-3 will help those guys to show their talents and more people will come out of Texas.”
Although it’s too late for Roach to benefit under the new scheme at Texas, he’s clearly excited for his former teammates to finally be able to showcase their strengths.
Texas should significantly improve their sack production in 2020.