Baylor Bears vs. Texas Longhorns Defensive Players to Watch
The Baylor Bears wrap up their regular season when they face the Texas Longhorns on Friday at 11 a.m. at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The Bears (6-5, 4-4 in Big 12) had dreams of defending their Big 12 title from a year ago, but those dreams are done, as their 29-28 loss to TCU last Saturday was the final nail in their coffin. Now it’s on to Texas, which may lead the all-time series, 78-29-4, but the Bears have won two of the last three games, including last year’s 31-24 meeting in Waco.
The Longhorns (7-4, 5-3) still have dreams of going to AT&T Stadium in Arlington next Saturday to face TCU. Kansas State is in second place in the conference, and a win by the Wildcats on Saturday over Kansas would yield a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game. The scenario is clear — Texas has to win and Kansas State has to lose, because if K-State loses, then Texas has the tiebreaker.
If Texas is going to win on Friday, here are some of the players that have to get it done for the Longhorns on defense.
All week, Inside the Bears will preview Friday’s game. Here is this week’s projected depth chart for the Longhorns and the offensive players to watch.
Defensive Players to Watch
DE Ovie Oghoufu
Oghoufo is that quiet, dependable player that doesn’t get much attention unless you’re breaking down tape every week. And when you break down tape, the things he does stand out. He has 48 tackles, 8 1/2 tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks. He’s also broken up three passes.
OLB DeMarvion Overshown
They call him ‘Agent Orange,’ a nod to the jersey color and his jersey number. The goal this season was to move Overshown all over the field and allow his play-making ability to dominate. The Butkus Award semifinalist has produced, as he has at least five tackles in 10 of his 11 games, with a season-high 11 against TCU. He can also get to the quarterback, as he has three sacks and eight tackles for loss this season.
LB Jaylan Ford
It wouldn’t be a stretch to see Ford in the running for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, or to see him declare for the NFL Draft after the season. The junior leads the conference with three forced fumbles and three interceptions by a linebacker. He is tied for the lead with two fumble recoveries. His 96 total tackles and 8.73 average per game both rank second. He’s been a consistent force all season for the Longhorns with a team-leading 96 tackles.
CB D’Shawn Jamison
After missing the TCU game due to injury, Jamison returned last week against Kansas and played like the consistent cornerback he’s been all season. He looks ready to make the jump to the NFL, as he’s picked up two interceptions and seven pass break-ups this season. But it’s his return skills that differentiate him. He is as dangerous as they come in the Big 12. He can return punts, he can return kickoffs and he can take both to the house. He has four non-offensive touchdowns for his UT career.
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