The 2014 defense was the team’s identity and the reason Texas won six games despite losing their starting QB and most experienced offensive lineman. In addition to being the centerpiece in all of the Horns’ wins except one, the defense kept Texas in games vs. Baylor, OU, and UCLA. In 2012-2013, the Texas defense was a nightmare, but last year’s defense finished 25th in the nation in total yards allowed while playing the majority of the game due to a struggling offense.
Last year, Charlie Strong was also able to wake up players who seemed to have been floating along through their Texas careers. This year Charlie Strong lost all of the leaders on his defense in Malcom Brown, Quandre Diggs, and Jordan Hicks, and is relying on some incredible talent in the freshman class to fill those voids. With mere days before the team travels to South Bend, the hopes of Texas are upon the defense all the live long day. Let’s take a look at the defense and what the Horns have to work with this season.
Defensive Line
KEY LOSSES: Malcom Brown, Cedric Reed
RETURNING STARTERS: Desmond Jackson, Hasaan Ridgeway, Shiro Davis, Naashon Hughes
KEY ADDITIONS: Quincy Vasser
KEY POSITION BATTLES: Shiro Davis vs Bryce Cottrell
This team lost their two big guys (literally and metaphorically) in Malcom Brown and Ced Reed, but if Desmond Jackson plays to his potential, the defensive line could be the best unit on the team. Last season Jackson started the first three games at defensive tackle before lisfranc surgery on his injured foot ended his season. Jackson will be next to Hassan Ridgeway, who last season racked up six sacks and has been the leader for the defensive line this offseason.
Despite the loss of the first round talent Malcom Brown, the interior of the defensive line will be tough to keep out of the backfield for offensive lines and tougher to get past for running backs. Behind Jackson and Ridgeway are Poona Ford and Paul Boyette. A sophomore, Ford has been a favorite of Charlie Strong this offseason, while Boyette has experience and production. Boyette shined at times last fall, especially vs Oklahoma State where he got a sack and two tackles for loss. Expect these two to see a lot of playing time this year.
On the outside of the defensive line things are a little more unclear. Texas returns Shiro Davis, Bryce Cottrell and Naashon Hughes who together have played in 66 games but have only recorded 6 sacks, 8 QB pressures, and 11.5 TFL’s. Hughes appears to have taken a significant step forward – playing at the FOX position he turned plenty of heads during the Spring Game and has been a name that has been consistently mentioned in every practice report.
Davis and Cottrell could challenge for the next spot but both have weaknesses. Davis, while a physical freak, does not have production to match his appearance and demeanor. Cottrell is a fourth year defensive end, who also has not produced very much, only impacting games vs North Texas and UCLA. Davis and Cottrell need to elevate their performance or risk being replaced by Charles Omenihu or Quincy Vasser.
All in all it appears to be a reload and not a rebuild season at defensive line.
Linebackers
KEY LOSSES: Steve Edmond, Jordan Hicks
RETURNING STARTERS: Peter Jinkens, Dalton Santos
KEY ADDITIONS: Malik Jefferson, Anthony Wheeler, Breckyn Hager
KEY POSITION BATTLES: Edwin Freeman vs Peter Jinkens
This position is headlined by the highly touted class of four freshmen: Malik Jefferson, Anthony Wheeler, Brekyn Hager, and Cameron Townsend. The arrival of the youngsters softened the blow of losing two NFL-caliber starters at this position in Steve Edmond and Jordan Hicks. Linebacker Coach Brian Jean-Mary made it very well known that a tie at any position will go to the freshman, so for upperclassmen Dalton Santos and Peter Jinkens it’s do or die time.
Jinkens, who flashed potential in his freshman year, regressed the next season, and didn’t seem to find the ability to turn himself into the coverage linebacker that’s needed in the Big 12 last season. The senior, Dalton Santos was injured for a majority of the offseason; however, when Santos could serve as an emotional leader on defense. Although Santos makes incorrect read, he does so at maximum effort. Unfortunately 110% in the wrong direction doesn’t help the defense move forward.
Meanwhile Malik Jefferson has been the talk of Texas football since his commitment last year. Jefferson arrived at campus in January and was D-1 ready the moment he got to Austin. As Duke Thomas said, “He [Jefferson] is the leader of the freshmen. If I need to get something across I go to him.†Jefferson will start, and make huge plays during the season, the bigger question is will he do it as an ILB or OLB. Added to Jefferson’s arrival are: Edwin Freeman (the redshirt freshman) looked excellent during the Spring Game; and Anthony Wheeler, an incredible talent but outshined at the moment by Jefferson.
This linebacker corps could emerge as a team strength.
Secondary
KEY LOSSES: Quandre Diggs, Mykkele Thompson
RETURNING STARTERS: Duke Thomas, Dylan Haines, Jason Hall
KEY ADDITIONS: Kris Boyd, Holton Hill, DeShon Elliott, Davante Davis
KEY POSITION BATTLES: Sheroid Evans vs. Antwuan Davis vs. Bryson Echols vs the Freshmen, Jason Hall vs DeShon Elliott vs Adrian Colbert
Quandre Diggs was last year’s team leader. Diggs was perfect to help usher in the Strong era by being a menacing force on the field and not being afraid to call guys out for underperforming (even calling out the fans). Diggs and the rest of the secondary led the defense and were one of the best in the nation at stopping the pass (13th in the nation). Although Diggs graduated, DBU is still looking pretty good.
Duke Thomas assumes Diggs’ role as the senior leader – getting hyped during practice and playing lights out on defense during the offseason. Thomas appears to have grown mentally as well, taking full responsibility for his blunders (especially during the UCLA game).
John Bonney is emerging as one of the best corners on the team, and might be the best cover corner on the team. Bonney’s spot in Charlie Strong’s nickel defense is secure.
The position still being contested is at corner back opposite Thomas. Senior Sheroid Evans was the favorite to win the position, but he is again plagued by injuries. Bryson Echols and Antwaun Davis are upperclassmen fighting for the spot: Echols has more experience and better technique than Davis; but what Davis makes up for those shortcomings in athleticism (even being called the most athletic player on the field by some).
Also waging battle for the position is the trio of Kris Boyd, Holton Hill, and Davante Davis. These three have been a handful for the upperclassmen on offense and defense throughout the offseason and Longhorns fans should expect them to keep it that way for other teams as long as they’re on campus.
At safety, last year’s big story, walk-on Dylan Haines, has the free/deep safety spot securely in his grasp. Last year Haines stood out as a player who was always around the ball and had 86 tackles on the year. With a year of experience, look for more of the same from Haines.
At strong safety there is more uncertainty, but not much. Charlie Strong called out Jason Hall, by saying that the rising sophomore didn’t make a play all season after body slamming Samaje Perine in early October. In his defense, Hall experienced an injury that was not widely publicized, but limited his playing ability for the rest of the year after the OU game.
The guy who was going to give Hall a run for his money, DeShon Elliott was another highly touted recruit coming out of high school. Elliott has a reputation as an very physical player, and drew a lot of comparisons to Jason Hall. Elliott, injured his toe early in preseason practices and missed significant time.
Adrian Colbert is also vying for the Hall’s position. Although Colbert is the most experienced of the three players competing at strong safety, Hall is considered a much better option.
