What may be the biggest question among Texas fans right now surrounds the new defensive scheme.
New defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is bringing a whole new look to the Forty Acres. It looks somewhat familiar to Chris Ash’s scheme, but looks and deployment are completely different. The look to which I am referring to is a 4-man front with two linebackers.
This won’t be a true X’s and O’s breakdown of the scheme for the Longhorns, rather just taking a look at it from a personnel standpoint. Based on what was run at Washington, what current or prospective talent fits with that style in Austin? As with any level of football, success and failure begins and ends in the trenches.
Personnel in the trenches
Starting upfront, there are two defensive tackles in the middle of the defense. Your typical one-technique tackle and your three-technique tackle. Some defenses can be multiple in their fronts and use a one-technique (nose) tackle that lines up directly over the center. You typically don’t see much of that in Kwiatkowski’s scheme.
On the interior: Defensive Tackles
Your one technique’s job is to eat up blocks in the middle of the defense. This will be the role of Keondre Coburn and T’Vondre Sweat, although they do provide some pass rush in the middle of the defense. Think back on Vita Vea from a couple of years back as an example. They also had Danny Shelton in the middle as the block eater that could simultaneously make plays. By eating double teams, it allows your linebackers to move freely and get to the ball carrier.
The three-technique is more of your pass rusher from the interior. Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton are two guys that come to mind from this spot. Collins could also rush from the strongside defensive spot if called upon, a position he played at Cedar Creek High School. However, this scheme using more athletic linebacker hybrids on the outside. If Kwiatkowski is more multiple, then you could see him fill this role as well.
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On the Edges: Pass Rushers
Your typical 4-3 base defense involves two pass rushers. The strongside defensive end that deals with offensive tackles and tight ends more often than not. On the weakside, your pass rusher is more of your speed guy who often will face a left tackle one-on-one in most cases. Both of which typically come out of a three-point stance i.e. hand in the dirt.
The difference with Kwiatkowski’s pass rushers is that they are technically linebackers. Think of the pass-rushing hybrid role of a ‘Jack’ and he will deploy two of them. The pass rushers typically play from a two-point stance, essentially standing up like a linebacker. They can rush from a three-point stance as well.
Marqez Bimage was expecting to play the ‘Jack’ or a pass rush role for Ash before he opted out of the season. With his expectant return, Bimage could take that role from the weakside. Behind him, Ray Thornton and Prince Dorbah are solid candidates to fill that role out.
On the strong side of the defensive line, you could see Jacoby Jones, Moro Ojomo, and possibly Reese Leitao in the rotation. Incoming freshman Jordan Thomas is a dark horse to find his way into some snaps at either spot. Ja’Tavion Sanders could be a wildcard, dependent upon how many snaps he would actually see. However, it’s unclear whether Sanders will play on the offensive side of the ball or not.
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