CJ Vogel
Just as we did yesterday with the offense, here is a quick preview of what is to come with the 2025 Texas spring defense.
Texas returns an All-American player at all three levels of the defense and will add the most impactful freshman class on the defensive side of the ball since Steve Sarkisian was hired. Of course, the big question remains up front on the defensive line – Has Texas done enough to be competitive, if not, what more must they do in the portal?
But a defense that starts with Anthony Hill Jr. and Colin Simmons is a defense that has a chance to be special in 2025.
The secondary, specifically at safety, is going to be fluid. Texas has plenty of talented bodies, but finding who is the next up at the position with several guys inactive for the spring will be a focal point in Duane Akina's return to Austin.
How I view the 2025 spring ball starting lineup:
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Defensive Line
I mentioned it above as a question mark, so let's start the conversation with the big boys in Kenny Baker's room. Texas has already added three bodies from the winter portal – Cole Brevard, Travis Shaw, Hero Kanu. Off the cuff, Brevard has been the most experienced of the bunch and also possesses the most production. As we start the spring, I would anticipate hearing Brevard and Alex January are the first two with the Texas defensive line group. Speaking of January, he had a great freshman campaign, finishing a tick shy of 100 snaps on the season. If I could pick anyone of the 2024 class to make the biggest jump next fall, it would be January.
This spring is also a great opportunity for Melvin Hills to make some noise, for as we know, Myron Charles and Josiah Sharma are quick on his heels. And of course, Justus Terry. My biggest concern at the moment with Terry is what will he eventually weigh come the fall. Right now, he is in a 'tweener position on the defensive line. Which isn't bad necessarily, he has the skillset to play on the edge or at 3-tech. This freshman group is incredibly talented.
EDGE
Probably my favorite room in the facility at the moment. Texas returns Trey Moore and Colin Simmons as one of the more explosive edge duos in the SEC. With how Moore finished the second half of the season and the expected improvement in year two for Simmons, this is going to be one of, if not the overall strength of the Texas defense. But it doesn't stop there. Ethan Burke is back for year four and the oft-injured Colton Vasek shined when healthy in 2024. Zina Umeozulu is often the forgotten name in the bunch, but having bumped into him in January during bowl season, the frame certainly is what you would hope of an edge rusher looking to see the field.
The early returns on Lance Jackson have been tremendous, as the combination of stature and athleticism continues to be brought in conversations regarding the freshman class. Also, Smith Orogbo joins the group. A quick, twitchy edge rusher who will likely need a year to get the frame right, and to also ensure the knee injury is something that does not linger for multiple years.
Linebacker
Headlined by Anthony Hill Jr., the linebacking group is as healthy as it has been in years. Liona Lefau is the favorite to start once aside Hill, as he eventually overtook the position from David Gbenda in 2024. Though, don't overlook the impact of a Ty'Anthony Smith in 2025. Smith has a knack for being around the football and will contribute heavily. The usage of Brad Spence will be interesting in my eyes. He had 4.5 sacks last year at Arkansas, but pass coverage is not necessarily a strength. Still, he fills downhill very well and is a threat in pass rush situations.
Jumbo LB Bo Barnes has already made some positive body transformations since arriving on campus and figures to provide depth for the unit in 2025. Jonathan Cunningham will continue to bounce back from a knee injury as well, but is on track to see some action this spring.
STAR
I figure the star spot deserves its own section. Jelani McDonald saw plenty of snaps at the nickel spot last fall and now has been moved here full time. Does that mean Jaylon Guilbeau is out of a spot? No. Guilbeau will continue to see time at nickel, as well as seeing snaps at outside cornerback, similar to that of Jahdae Barron a year ago. Wardell Mack was another name working at star last year for the Horns.
Safety
Texas loses Andrew Mukuba to the NFL Draft, but the safety room will continue to boast an abundance of talent. Michael Taaffe is back, fresh off a 2nd-Team All American season and will lead the unit. Taaffe will eventually be joined by the return of Derek Williams Jr. who will be limited in the spring after tearing his ACL against Oklahoma last fall.
Which means this room has plenty of snaps available for up and comers. The first two to get a crack at the spot will be Jordon Johnson-Rubell and Xavier Filsaime. JJR saw more snaps later in the season than Filsaime, which is why I ended up with him in the starting unit. Obviously, that is all subject to change. Early enrollee Zelus Hicks is going to be the lone newcomer on the field this spring, as Jonah Williams continues with Jim Schlossnagle and Texas Baseball. However, Williams is expected in spring ball meetings with Duane Akina and the Texas defensive staff.
Cornerback
Texas will be tasked with replacing the best defensive back in the country with Jahdae Barron likely to hear his name in the first 20 picks next April. Fortunately, Malik Muhammad will return as the top dog on campus at the cornerback position. The question then becomes, who joins him? Is it Kobe Black who we saw often in SEC road games? What about a sophomore jump from Santana Wilson? Or can freshman phenom Kade Phillips leapfrog the line and take the job? It remains to be seen. Texas has bodies. Texas has talent. But the answer currently is unknown.
On top of all of this, let's not forget Jaylon Guilbeau will be seeing some snaps on the outside as well. Last year, there were questions in regards to Barron's straight speed when he made the move and those some talking points have resurfaced for Guilbeau. Other names to keep an eye on at cornerback/STAR include Warren Roberson, Wardell Mack, Graceson Littleton and Caleb Chester.