Texas Longhorn Preview: Defense

Here is a preview of the University of Texas' defense for the upcoming season:

Projected Lineup:

DE: Brian Orakpo, Henry Melto

DT: Roy Miller, Lamarr Houston

LB: Rashad Bobino, Roddrick Muckelroy, Sergio Kindle

CB: Ryan Palmer, Deon Beasley

S: Earl Thomas, Ben Wells

Overview:

For the first time in a long time, the Longhorns are young at defensive tackle and in the secondary.  They return their linebackers and are five to six deep at defensive end.  The biggest change in this year’s defense will be in scheme.  New defensive coordinator Will “Coach Boom” Muschamp brings an aggressive SEC style to the 40 acres. 

The players are already flocking to Muschamp and speaking as if his word is gold.  Even with the inexperience, this defense should be athletic and aggressive.  Expect more big plays, maybe for both Texas’ defense and the opposing offense.

Strengths:

The two strengths have to be the depth and talent at DE and at linebacker.  Texas has always liked to rotate at end and this year’s depth should be the best that has been on campus.  The speed of this year’s squad should be back at the level of the team that won the championship in 2005.  And if you have seen an Auburn defense the last few years the arrival of Muschamp has to be the biggest strength. 

Question Marks:

Luckily for the Longhorns the weaknesses could easily become strengths.  This year’s secondary is already being compared to the young secondary of Huff, Brown, and Michael and Cedric Griffin.  If the young group, that also includes Christian Scott and Blake Gideon, comes anywhere close to living up the hype, offenses will no longer feast on the secondary.

The size at DT has to scare the coaches.  Apart from Roy Miller the other contributors will be made up of ex-defensive ends and true freshman.  If the young guys step up and Houston performs like some are expecting, this position could also become a strength.

The biggest obstacle for this team will be the schedule.  They face Tech, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.  All figure to be top offenses.  Each relies heavily on the pass and will try to exploit the inexperience in the secondary.

Matchup to watch: (DE) Henry Melton vs. Sam Acho

After the first couple of practices it has become evident to all that the sophomore Acho needs to be on the field.  He has made play after play in team drills.  Even if he is only in on passing downs, Sam figures to take a lot of snaps away from Melton.  Couple Acho with once five-star prospect Eddie Jones and the former fullback Melton must produce to stay on the field.

X-Factor: Sergio Kindle

How new DC Muschamp will use Kindle has been the major question of fall practice.  The big time athlete has been on a different level so far when coming off the edge.  Sergio appears to do better when blitzing than in space so he figures to be more of a blitzer than a true linebacker.  With Texas playing more 4-2-5, Christian Scott will replace him on the field unless Coach Muschamp is convinced he can play with his hand on the ground on occasion.

Surprise Player: Blake Gideon

Maybe Muschamp sees himself in Gideon or maybe he is just that good. Either way, on the first day of practice the unknown true freshman was lined up with the first teamers at safety.  The fact is the kid is good and he already seems to understand the schemes.  Even if he isn’t the starter it is obvious he will contribute, especially on special teams.