Texas Football 2024 Depth Chart Prediction: Defense

The Texas Longhorns have a new-look, albeit talented defense heading into the 2024 season.

Texas Longhorns defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau during the first day with pads in fall football camp practice for the Texas Longhorns at Denius Fields on Monday, August 5, 2024. / Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Texas Longhorns are entering 2024 with one of the best rosters from top to bottom in all of college football.

However, there are still a good number of questions surrounding the team thanks to multiple losses to the NFL and the transfer portal this offseason, as well as a handful of incoming talents that should push for playing time immediately.

That includes along the defensive line, where the Horns lost arguably the best defensive tackle tandem in the country in T'Vondre Sweat and Bryon Murphy.

So with that in mind, who exactly will take the field when the Horns open up against Colorado State on next weekend?

After projecting what the offensive depth chart could look like heading into the season opener, it is now time for Longhorns Country to take a look at the defensive side of the ball:

Texas Longhorns defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau during the first day with pads in fall football camp practice for the Texas Longhorns at Denius Fields on Monday, August 5, 2024. / Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Edge

JACK

1. Barry Sorrell, Sr.
2. Justice Finkley, Jr.
3. Colton Vasek, RS-Fr.

BUCK

1. Trey Moore, Jr. OR Ethan Burke
2. Colin Simmons, Fr.
3. Zina Umeozulu, Fr.

The Longhorns returned their top two pass rushers in Barryn Sorrell and Ethan Burke, and added the top edge rusher in the transfer portal in Trey Moore, as well as five-star freshman Collin Simmons. Not to mention, Justice Finkley should make an impact, and red-shirt freshman Colton Vasek has been extremely impressive in his own right. Overall, the Horns are deep here and should have one of the top pass-rushing units in the SEC.

Oct 21, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton (45) and / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Interior defensive line

Defensive Tackle

1. Vernon Broughton, RS-Sr.
2. Tiaoalii Savea, Sr.
3. Jermayne Lole, Sr.

Defensive Tackle

1. Alfred Collins, RS-Sr.
2. Bill Norton, Sr.
3. Aaron Bryant, So.

This was arguably the biggest area of concern for the Horns heading into the offseason after they lost both T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy to the NFL as well as Trill Carter to the portal. Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton will now be thrust into the limelight as the Horns' new top defensive tackle paring. And with the additions of Arizona transfer duo Bill Norton and Tia Savea, as well as Jermayne Lole from Louisville, they should have a formidable group.

Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (0) celebrates a sack during the game against Alabama at / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman /

Linebacker 

MIKE Linebacker

1. Anthony Hill, So.
2. Liona Lefau, So.
3. Derion Gullette, Fr.

WILL Linebacker

1. David Gbenda, Sr.
2. Morice Blackwell, Sr.
3. Tyanthony Smith, Fr.

SAM Linebacker

1. Morice Blackwell, Sr.
2. Tausili Akana, RS-Fr.
3. Marshall Landwehr

The Longhorns lost some depth at the linebacker position with the departure of Kendrick Blackshire and S'Maje Burrell. That said, it is still a talented group led by Anthony Hill and David Gbenda. Liona Lefau has also had an excellent offseason and should get a good deal of snaps. Derion Gullette and Tausili Akana could crack the rotation, while Morice Blackwell provides a versatile option.

Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) celebrates a defensive stop during the Big 12 / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman /

Cornerback

Field Corner

1. Jahdae Barron, Sr.
2. Gavin Holmes, Sr. OR Jay'Vion Cole, Jr.
3. Wardell Mack, Fr.

Boundary Corner

1. Malik Muhammad, So.
2. Warren Roberson., RS-Fr.
3. Kobe Black, Fr.

STAR

1. Jaylon Guilbeau, Jr.
2. Jahdae Barron
3. Jordon Johnson-Rubell

The departure of Terrance Brooks hurts, but Texas made a nice recovery there with the addition of transfer Jay'Vion Cole, who will compete with Gavin Holmes for significant snaps. Meanwhile, Malik Muhammad looks like one of the top young corners in the SEC.

One interesting wrinkle that has come out of fall camp is Jahdae Barron spending a lot of time as the starting field corner. Barron excelled in his nickel spot last season, but Jaylon Guilbeau is also a natural fit at STAR as well and will allow Barron to move freely around the secondary depending on the situation. Andrew Mukuba could also play STAR if need be.

Nov 11, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver JP Richardson (7) and Texas / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Safety

Boundry safety

1. Derrick Williams Jr., So.
2. Jelani McDonald, So.
3. Santana Wilson, Fr.

Field safety

1. Michael Taaffe, Jr. OR Andrew Mukuba, Sr.
2. Michael Taaffe, Jr. OR Andrew Mukuba, Sr.
3. Xavier Filsaime, Fr.

Safety was an issue for the Horns last season, but with the addition of Andrew Mukuba via the portal was a big get. Another year under the belt of Derek Williams Jr. will help as well. That said, while we expect Taaffe to start Week 1, Mukuba will play a lot and could turn into a starter depending on the opponent. The room is in much better shape than it was a season ago.