Ryan Watts, Cornerback
As the lone defensive player that Texas has brought in via the transfer portal, Ryan Watts gets the nod here. He comes in to replace Josh Thompson who departed for the NFL, and will get a legitimate opportunity to be the full-time starter for the first time in his college career. He has great size at 6-foot-3, and will likely be tasked with covering the opposing team’s best receiver.
Outside of D’Shawn Jamison, this secondary is relatively inexperienced as even Anthony Cook is at a new position for this season. Watts not only needs to prove he is a playmaker, but he also needs to offer some leadership to help guide the secondary that has three players in new positions. The Longhorns ranked No. 62 in passing yards allowed giving up over seven yards per pass, they will need Watts to be as close to lockdown as possible. Watts will also have to contribute in the run defense and not taking lazy angles like some members of the secondary last season as that is really where the defense struggled.
Next, the Longhorns new No. 2 wide receiver