The 2024 Texas defense snuck up on the College Football world. Most fans and pundits would not have imagined Pete Kwiatkowski’s (PK) defense being the strength of the 2024 Texas Longhorns team, but PK oversaw a unit that finished in the Top 10 of every major statistical category except for rushing defense, where the Horns defense finished a respectable 13thnationally, giving up just 109 yards per game on the ground. PK and staff will have to replace 5 starters lost, including Thorpe Award winner, Jahdae Barron, and All SEC selection, Andrew Mukuba, from the Secondary, But the 2025 version of the Texas defense maybe even better than its predecessor. Here’s a look at how each defensive position group ranks heading into spring football.
1. Defensive Line – For the 3rdstraight offseason, Texas will have to find replacements for their starting defensive tackles that are off to the NFL. Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton are a duo that will be missed, but the interior of the defensive line is in good shape, depth wise, with the addition of 3 players out of the transfer portal, returners like Soph Alex January who played significant snaps in Texas’ CFB Playoff run, and incoming Freshmen Justus Terry and Myron Charles who were both highly sought after recruits and players that most think have the ability to make an impact early on. It remains to be seen if the production will match that of the 2024 rotation, but Texas has 5-6 guys at the position that can play.
25.5 of Texas’ 47 sacks in 2024 came from edge rushers, a number up significantly from recent seasons (Texas only had 32 sacks total in 2023 and 27 total in 2022). With only the departure of Barryn Sorrell to the NFL, there is no reason to think those numbers won’t be better in 2025. Team sack leader, Colin Simmons (9), headlines a talented group of returners in Trey Moore (6.5), Ethan Burke (2)and Colton Vasek (2). Redshirt Freshman Zina Umeozulu is a name you might hear more of leading up to the 2025 season. A bit of an undersized raw talent in high school, Umeozulu has added 40lbs to his 6-5 frame and is getting noticed by insiders. To add to an already impressive group, Texas signed 2 of the top 10 edge players in the class of 2025 in 5-star, Lance Jackson, and 4-star, Smith Orogbo.
The Texas defensive line, headed into spring practice, is one of the most talented groups in the country and looks to be the strength of the Texas defense for the foreseeable future. Interior DL coach, Kenny Baker, and new Edge coach, LaAllan Clark, won’t lose any sleep worrying about if they have the bodies to be successful.
2. Safeties – Despite losing adynamic player in Andrew Mukuba to the NFL draft, the next safeties coach at the University of Texas will have more talent at their disposal than they can get on the field at the same time. Mukuba and his team lead tying 5 interceptions shouldn’t be taken for granted, but the list of Texas returners and incoming freshman at the position is a who’s who of blue chippers at the position.
You can’t start the 2025 Texas safety conversation without starting with Michael Taaffe. Initially a walk on player, Taaffe’s star has consistently been on the rise and he’ll be a legitimate candidate for preseason All American and Thorpe Award consideration. Behind Taaffe is a talented assortment of talented and experienced players in Derek Williams and Jelani McDonald.
Up next are the guys oozing with talent but didn’t push for playing time in 2024. Xavier Filsaime, Jordon Johnson-Rubell, and Warren Roberson all look to push for playing time this fall.
2025 signees, Jonah Williams and Zelus Hicks are both guys with the talent to contribute as True Freshman, but they’ll have to fight through a log jam of physical competition and be quick on absorbing the mental side of the position.
No other position group on the 2025 roster has as much talent as the safety room but with Williams coming back from injury and most of it inexperienced, the guys that form the last line of defense will have to settle for a 2nd place position ranking headed into spring.
3. Linebackers – Another storyline we’ve seen repeated multiple times in the last few off seasons are the depth concerns at linebacker and the 2025 off season is no different. With the departure of David Gbenda and Mo Blackwell, there are 3 on the roster with any snaps headed into spring.
The good news? All three played significant snaps in 2024 and 2 of them are returning starters Ant Hill Jr, who led the team in tackles for loss with 16.5 and tallied 8 sacks, and Leona Lefau, who took over the starting role mid-season, tallying 63 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and1 interception as a sophomore. Ultra athletic sophomore, TyAnthony Smith, had 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, .5 sack and 1 interception in a freshman campaign in limited action.
Texas immediately got help at the position with transfer portal LB, Brad Spence, from Arkansas. Spence had 54 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season for the Razorbacks and at the very least, give 2nd year LB coach, Johnny Nansen, another piece for his chess board.
Incoming freshman, Elijah “Bo” Barnes, is a name to look for as spring practice commences. The talented Dallas product ended up as a 5-star in the final recruiting rankings of the 2025 class.
Much like the interior defensive line, linebacker depth always seems to be a concern in the offseason and the Texas staff always seems to figure it out. The big difference in 2025 is the overall talent of the room is stronger than in year’s past.
4. Cornerbacks – Texas has some BIG shoes to fill with the departure of All American and Thorpe Award winner, Jahdae Barron, and much like the safety room, there is a stack of talented cornerbacks that will be pressing for playing time this offseason.
3rd year CB, Malik Muhammed, is the first guy in line to try to fill those shoes. Muhammed’s sophomore campaign at Texas was a solid one but he’ll have to improve during the offseason if he hopes to reach the production of Barron. Senior Jaylon Gilbeau looks to retain his starting position at the Star position( nickelback), but could make a similar move to Barron’s last off season to a traditional cornerback position.
Behind Muhammed and Gilbeau there is a gaggle of inexperienced talent. Kobe Black, Wardell Mack and Santana Wilson are all 2nd year guys who will be looking to make the jump into the rotation in 2025.
Incoming freshman, 5-star Kade Phillps, is the most likely of the 3 incoming cornerbacks to find some playing time in 2025. Phillips has great height for a cornerback at 6-1.
Cornerbacks coach, Terry Joseph, won’t have long to find 4-5 players he can trust next season. Long on talent but short on experience, the 2025 cornerback room is something to watch as the offseason wears on. If some of the young players can step up, this group can be really good, but for now they are the biggest defensive concern heading in spring practice.
Unlike its predecessor, the 2025 Texas defense shouldn’t sneak up on anyone come August. PK has the luxury to have the most talented Texas defensive roster, maybe ever, but certainly since the mid to late 2000s teams that were a staple in the National Championship hunt. How good can this Texas defense be? It depends on how much improved the strengths and weaknesses are by the season opener on August 30th. We’ll rate the position groups once again during the summer.