Four most important players on Texas’ defense this season
Texas’ defense lost several core players to the 2021 NFL draft and the NCAA transfer portal this offseason.
Going into the new season with the third defensive coordinator in three years, Texas will be without Joseph Ossai, their star pass rusher who led the team in sacks with five last season. Although the Longhorns are without their do it all edge rusher, it provides an opportunity for other players to make a name for themselves.
New defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is coming in and expecting to generate sacks and turnovers. During his last full season at Washington, the Huskies had four players with three or more sacks, whereas Texas only had Ossai with more than three. The Longhorns clearly need to establish a better pass rush this season, and players like Moro Ojomo and LSU transfer Ray Thornton are looking to make up for the absences of Ossai and others.
Let’s take a look at who I believe are the four most important players for Texas’ 2021 defensive unit.
Alfred Collins, DL
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Alfred Collins had his true breakout game against Colorado in the Alamo Bowl, making an amazing acrobatic one-handed interception. Although he didn't have the most profound stats, his presence was felt by everyone in the Colorado backfield. He was someone who did not see the field much during his true freshman season because of the people in front of him, but he still accounted for 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups and two tackles for loss along with the great interception. He was always built for the college level weighing in at a impressive 305 pounds, now he just needs to receive more playing time. He has the potential to put up five or six sacks, while causing mayhem in opposing teams backfield. It would be more shocking if he did not have a breakout season in 2021, especially given the track record of Kwiatkowski and the large quantity of players that typically produce in his defensive scheme.
Moro Ojomo, DT
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As someone who is a younger player age wise despite his academic standing, Ojomo was certainly a project early on in his career. Last season was his first time being a full-time starter, but he was starting on the edge rather than the interior line where he is now. Ojomo still accounted for 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks out of position, but the new staff moved him inside and it has been paying dividends. He was reportedly winning practically every one-on-one battle in spring practices, and he was the defensive star in the spring game where he accumulated three sacks. If he can keep that up, the interior line with him and Keondre Coburn will be lethal. It would also help Texas' lackluster pass rush.
D'Shawn Jamison, DB
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Jamison has proven to be the teams best all-around corner, and he also is an electric return man. He is someone who the Longhorns can rely on to put on the opposing teams best receiver regardless of size and lock him down. The Big 12 is known for slinging around the rock, and having a NFL caliber player on the secondary does not hurt at all. Kwiatkowski defenses are known for creating turnovers, and a great comparison to Jamison is Washington's Elijah Molden, who was drafted in the 2021 NFL draft. Under Kwiatkowski, Molden accounted for five interceptions in their last full season, and also like Jamison, he is not the tallest. Losing Sterns can hurt the secondary a tad, but having an experienced player like Jamison can make up for it. The Longhorns need him to make more plays like his 92-yard pick six in the spring game.
DeMarvion Overshown, LB
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Arguably the most important player on the defense, Overshown is very much the teams vocal leader. Last season was his first season at linebacker, the position that many scouts were saying he was better suited to play. Overshown proved that to be true making plays all over the field, using his knowledge from his defensive back days, and his speed to compliment. Kwiatkowski is known for his linebacker development, and having a player as raw as Overshown was to mold, can lead to an absolutely dominant season. He had a really good 2020 season with 60 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He just needs to be a sponge and learn everything he can, and he could very well be the field general for what could be one of the most underrated defensive units in the nation.
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