Texas A&M Aggies vs. Texas Longhorns Preview: Defensive Players to Watch

Three names will lead the way for the Texas Longhorns on defense as they take on the Texas A&M Aggies on the road, looking to make life difficult for the latter team's offense.

Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (0) celebrates a stop on fourth down against Kentucky Wildcats in the third quarter during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov 24, 2024. / Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

COLLEGE STATION, Tx. — While most of the attention surrounding the Texas A&M Aggies' long-awaited rivalry game against the Texas Longhorns will be focused on the offensive weapons, there remains an entire side of football loaded with talent as well.

On defense, the Aggies, behind first-year coordinator Jay Bateman, will be plenty busy trying to slow down either Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning and the Longhorns, but on the flip side, Texas' defense will be doing the same for Marcel Reed.

If the Aggies can find some early momentum, they could make it a long day for the Orange & White, but on the flip side, it could just as easily go the other way if their defense gets comfortable

That being said, here are three more names to watch from the Longhorns' defensive front:

Anthony Hill Jr., Linebacker

After just one season with the Longhorns, Hill left an impression on the aspiring program. He didn't lead the tackling numbers for his team — that honor went to the now-departed Jaylon Ford — but he came in second and so far has taken a huge step forward

This season, hill leads the Longhorns in both total tackles and sacks with 79 and 7.5, respectively. He's certainly found a groove, and if he gets into the backfield, he serves as a strong threat to make Reed uncomfortable.

Jahdae Barron, Defensive Back

While Hill is busy disrupting things in the backfield, Barron will be in the secondary hawking Reed and company. Entering his fifth year with the team, the defensive back was looking to pick up his numbers after taking a slight dip last season, and he's done just that.

On the season, Barron has nabbed four interceptions — tied for a conference-high — and wrecked havoc on opposing team's receiving corps. That being said, Reed will have to be a little more cautious letting passes fly Saturday evening with one of the best corner threats watching him.

Ethan Burke, Defensive End

After a relatively quiet freshman season, Burke had one of the biggest production jumps for the Longhorns in Year 2. He notched 18 tackles and 5.5 sacks — the latter stat up from zero the previous season — and has been looking to replicate such production all season.

So far, he's registered 14 tackles and a sack, but the last thing the Aggies want is to let him find a rhythm in the final game of the regular season. He'll be a player to watch in that regard because if he gets loose, Reed could have another threat to worry about.

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