Texas CB Ryan Watts Impacts Longhorns Defense, Even Without INTs

The Texas Longhorns have not only a cover corner in Ryan Watts, but a player that can make open-field tackles, be a part of blitz packages and use his length to his advantage.

When Ryan Watts was coming out of high school, he was considered a top-150 player in the country and a top-10 safety, according to 247Sports.

He spent two seasons at Ohio State at cornerback, and after things didn't work out in Columbus, he came to Austin searching for a career revitalization. He stepped in and made an immediate impact as a starter, but only hauled in one interception last season.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said though Watts' interception numbers were down in year one doesn't mean he can't impact the game in other ways and help create turnovers.

"A lot of times into that boundary when you can eliminate that single receiver, now you can start to borrow that boundary safety to do something more, different coverages, things to the field," Sarkisian said. "A lot of times it's his run-fit ability. A lot of times it's ability to blitz — we're a big pressure team that way and he can be impactful on that front to go along with creating interceptions."

At 6-3, Watts' length can tip passes that can be picked off, Sarkisian said, and though he doesn't get credit for it in the stat sheet, he still had a direct impact on forcing the turnover.

Watts broke up three passes last year, while recording 51 tackles, four for loss and a sack.

Coming off honorable mentions for an All-Big 12 selection and Defensive Newcomer of the Year, Watts will look to elevate his play to the next level as the Longhorns' No. 1 cornerback. 

"There's a lot to his game that I think is still out there for him," Sarkisian said. "The more confident he gets building off of last year I think we can see more of those types of things come to light."

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You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419

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