Looking forward on defense

Throughout November, Charlie Strong consistently talked about how important 15 bowl practices would be for his young Texas team. The tricky part for coaches is to decide how much of a bowl practice to spend on the actual bowl game versus how much to focus on preparing for next season. After the Texas Bowl, there will be a void left by the departure of key Seniors – how much time will Strong spend repping younger players at those positions?

This is a quandary that every coach faces, but when coaches need to find a replacement for a name like Quandre Diggs, it makes bowl preparations seem less of a priority. Defensively, here are some of the decisions Strong is faced with (broken down by position group):

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Texas defensive line was the team’s most effective group throughout the season. Not only do first stringers like Malcom Brown and Cedric Reed not need extra repetitions, the DL effectively rotated three to four additional players during games. The result of that substitution pattern is that there are a group of younger players that are ready to step into a bigger role next Fall. Adding Desmond Jackson to the mix should equate to a formidable defensive front again in 2015.

With roles established for Monday’s bowl game, Vance Bedford and Charlie Strong have the luxury of giving extra snaps to Caleb Bluiett and Shiro Davis. Bowl practices will be important to players like Derick Roberson, Hassan Ridgeway, Poona Ford, and Naashon Hughes in order for them to establish their place in the pecking order heading in to Spring practice.

LINEBACKER

With Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond leading a group of four Seniors that are leaving an already-thin corps of linebackers, bowl practices have likely been an audition of sorts for 2015. Hicks and Edmond don’t need more repetitions, so Peter Jinkens, Dalton Santos, and Tim Cole should be getting extra work.

Edwin Freeman is a player that Bedford mentioned earlier this Fall as somebody he’s counting on to contribute in 2015. The current recruiting class looks like it will be loaded with star power at linebacker, so bowl practices have been a chance for current players to stake a claim on the depth chart before the young talent arrives.

DEFENSIVE BACK

The defensive secondary’s roles are set in stone, so bowl practices should be a benefit for younger players. However, given the value placed on stopping Arkansas’ rushing attack, and the Hogs’ ability to use play action in the passing game, bowl practices have been used to make sure the DB’s are comfortable in their roles within the gameplan. With plenty of movement throughout the secondary (designed to confuse Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen), players need to practice last second shifts, and the communication of responsibilities that are part of that movement.

In other words, even though the starting five DB’s know their roles, bowl practices aren’t an ideal time for younger players in the secondary to get looks. Expect a spirited battle for Diggs’ and Mykkele Thompson’s positions this Spring.