Filling gaps

Six seniors anchored the Texas defense in 2014 – Malcom Brown, Cedric Reed, Jordan Hicks, Steve Edmond, Quandre Diggs, and Mykkele Thompson. Not only is that half of the starters from last year’s defense, those six young men were the team leaders. Also noteworthy is that their departure leaves holes at every level of the defense (defensive line, linebacker, cornerback, and safety).

 

 

 

Although there is talent on the roster, and the Texas defensive coaching staff will squeeze the most out of those players, assuming that the defense will simply reload is not accurate – especially not early in the season.

 

 

 

Defensive end

 

 

 

In the mix: Caleb Bluiett; Bryce Cottrell; Shiro Davis; Naashon Huges; Derick Roberson; Quincy Vasser*

 

 

 

What to watch: Vance Bedford knows what he has in Naashon Hughes, and Shiro Davis. Both players saw significant snaps in 2014, and will be counted on to play increased roles this Fall.

 

 

 

At the “fox” end position, Hughes lines-up all across the defensive front (both standing and in a three point stance) as well as at linebacker, all in an effort to confuse the opposing offense. Given Hughes’ experience from last Fall, expectations are that his role, and it’s complexity, will both grow in 2015.

 

 

 

Shiro Davis has shown tantalizing glimpses of tremendous potential, but has yet to be a full time starter for an entire season. Even though his lack of snaps was mostly due to other players in front of him on the depth chart, there are questions about Davis’ consistency. If Davis’ production matches his potential, defensive line will be a team strength this season.

 

 

 

Two of the candidates in line to compete at defensive end are injured. Derick Roberson, who figured to compete for significant playing time, will miss Spring practice entirely (as will Caleb Bluiett).

 

 

 

Early enrollee (*) Quincy Vasser, who arrived with the intention of competing for the spot vacated by Cedric Reed, is “limited” by injury, but practiced during UT’s first day of drills. Whether Vasser competes once full pads and contact begin might be a different story.

 

 

 

 

 

Defensive tackle

 

 

 

In the mix: Paul Boyette, Jr; Poona Ford; Desmond Jackson; Chris Nelson; Hassan Ridgeway

 

 

 

What to watch: As HornSports detailed, there is no bigger void to fill on this year’s depth chart than the gaping hole left by Malcom Brown’s departure. Even with the return of Tank Jackson, who missed most of 2014, the Longhorns will find it difficult to replace Brown’s impact, which extended to every level of the defense.

 

 

 

Also gone is defensive line coach Chris Rumph. Although new Assistant Coach Brick Haley has an excellent reputation, he will still need Spring practice to get acquainted with the talent on the Texas roster.

 

 

 

Haley won’t get a complete look because Tank Jackson and Chris Nelson are out for Spring with injuries. Alex Norman will also miss time, but is listed as “limited” on the injury report.

 

 

 

With Jackson out, the focus of replacing Brown falls to Hassan Ridgeway. With massive talent to match his 6’4”, 307 pound frame, Ridgeway will be a fixture along the line this Fall. With plenty of game experience and 10 starts under his belt, Ridgeway’s contribution can vault the d-line from merely being “good” to “great”.

 

 

 

Poona Ford and Paul Boyette are facing an important Spring season. Both players will be counted on as reserves this season, and need to prove they are ready to do so.

 

 

 

 

 

Linebacker

 

 

 

In the mix: Tim Cole; Edwin Freeman; Peter Jinkens; Malik Jefferson*; Dalton Santos

 

 

 

What to watch: With both Steve Edmond and Jordan Hicks graduating, the linebacking corps needs to be established this Spring. Peter Jinkens is the only player on the roster that had extended playing time in 2014, and coaches are counting on him to be a leader at the position.

 

 

 

Middle linebacker Dalton Santos used the offseason to improve his strength and flexibility. By all accounts, Santos is in the best shape of his career – whether that translates to improved play on the field is a question that needs answering this Spring.

 

 

 

Fourth-year player Tim Cole, and redshirt freshman Edwin Freeman may be at opposite ends of the experience-spectrum, but both players are competing for substantial playing time. While Freeman is thought to be the better prospect, there are some coaches that think Tim Cole could be the “John Harris of 2015”.

 

 

 

Malik Jefferson, 2014’s top-rated recruit in Texas, is already on campus and competing. Even though he should be getting ready for his school prom, as evidenced by being an early enrollee (*), Jefferson’s talent and athleticism might be outdone by his desire to learn and improve. Brian Jean-Mary and Vance Bedford will spend Spring coaching and watching Jefferson with a goal of gauging how much he can contribute as a freshman.

 

 

 

 

 

Cornerback

 

 

 

In the mix: Antwuan Davis; Bryson Echols; Sheroid Evans; Jermaine Roberts, Jr; Duke Thomas

 

 

 

What to watch: Duke Thomas is a surefire starter in 2015 – he’s got plenty of game experience and is a Senior. The coaching staff is counting on a significant season from Thomas, and that goes from the practice field to games to press conference. Thomas will be a centerpiece of the team.

 

 

 

On the opposite side from Thomas, there’s plenty of buzz about Sheroid Evans. Until suffering a knee injury in 2013, Evans was progressing up the depth chart and had folks thinking he was next in line at DBU. That injury forced him to miss a year and a half of games – if Evans stays healthy and returns to form, then cornerback will be a team strength.

 

 

 

Antwuan Davis, Bryson Echols, and Jermaine Roberts will compete for starting nickel back and the top backups on the outside. All three players are undersized , but Davis plays big for his 5’11” stature. With Holton Hill and Kris Boyd arriving in Austin this Summer, Davis, Echols, and Roberts all need to turn in solid Spring performances.

 

 

 

 

 

Safety

 

 

 

In the mix: John Bonney; Adrian Colbert; Dylan Haines; Erik Huhn; Jason Hall; Kevin Vaccaro

 

 

 

What to watch: In 2014, Jason Hall appeared to be on his way to a stellar freshman campaign until an injury thwarted his trajectory. Hall will be counted on to return to that pace this Spring.

 

 

 

Especially with Hall’s lack of experience, the coaches latched on to Dylan Haines’ heady play last year. A former walk-on that proved he was able to compete physically in the Big 12, Haines turned in a memorable season and became a fan favorite. With several young players looking to make their mark, it’s important for Haines to quickly show that he continues to improve.

 

 

 

John Bonney, Adrian Colbert, and Erik Huhn are all competing for time as reserves. Fans have waited for Colbert to play to his potential – whether he takes that step as an upperclassman needs to be seen. Bonney is a utility player that can fill in at corner or safety but will find it easier to break into the lineup at safety.

 

 

 

Huhn was a highly rated prospect coming out of Cibolo Steel HS, but spent his freshman year rehabbing his shoulder. Huhn’s play this Spring and next Fall makes recruiting at Safety an interesting puzzle. There is tremendous high school talent at the position during this recruiting cycle, but if Huhn proves recovered from injury, he has four years ahead of him.