Longhorns LB Jaylan Ford Emerging As New Leader of Texas Defense

Jaylan Ford could be the biggest difference-maker for the Longhorns in 2023.

Who takes over as the leader of Texas' defense in 2023? On paper, it's a simple question. 

How about in reality? 

DeMarvion Overshown held the title of "Agent Zero" and locker room leader for two seasons on the Forty Acres. He's now off to make a name for himself as a hopeful star in the NFL. Fellow veterans Keondre Coburn and Mojo Oromo are off to the pros, as well. 

In reality, linebackers are often the leader of the defense. They're the ones receiving the calls from coordinators and making sure the front seven is lined up properly before the snap. 

Consider last season a trial run for senior Jaylan Ford in terms of being the captain. It's a responsibility few can handle, especially with a program that's failed to win the Big 12 for over a decade. 

Ford is one of the select that can meet the standard. 

Before head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski could build a personnel package around Texas' star defender, they had to ensure he was coming back. Despite being a one-year starter, Ford was arguably the Longhorns' most consistent playmaker.

Last season, he registered a team-high 119 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also led the Horns in interceptions with four and forced three fumbles. 

Scouts are low on this year's linebacker class entering the NFL draft later this month, but Ford displayed enough tools to garner buzz of potentially being an early selection. And while Overshown, a former first-team All-Big 12 selection, had the reps, Ford had the upside and youth. 

Following Texas' 27-20 loss to No. 12 Washington in last season’s Alamo Bowl, Ford took some time to mull over his options. 

What was the deciding factor that led him to stick around? Unfinished business in a season that could have ended with a College Football Playoff berth. 

“I just wanted to leave on a good note,” Ford said at the start of spring practice last month. “When I got here, I think everyone – when you got to a school, you dream of winning championships. And I just felt like with this team, what I’m seeing, how we came together and there's so much that we can tap into in one year, I'm just really excited to see what we could do this year.”

Ford said he wasn't convinced he had maximized his full potential as a one-year starter. Last season was about getting acclimated to a starting role. This season's all about technique. 

One of the key goals for Ford entering the 2023 campaign is to improve as a communicator. Last season, Overshown primarily made the calls while the 6-3 defender followed orders. This year, he'll be the one with the green dot on his helmet to covey conversations from Sarkisian and Kwiatkowski. 

Ford's return on veteran presence alone is monumental for the Longhorns' linebacker room. Overshown and Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey are gone, meaning David Gbenda is the only proven player with meaningful reps. Last season, the senior registered 12 tackles in eight games. 

Gbenda will likely fight to replace Ford as the No. 2 linebacker in the defense come September, but he's not the only prospect looking for first-team reps. Both freshmen Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau have made strides as early enrollees in spring camp and caught Sarkisian's eye throughout practice. 

Hill, a former five-star from Denton-Ryan (Texas), might end up being Sarkisian's best recruit at the position. He's raw and will need guidance to prove he can deliver at the next level, but the talent is there. 

It'll be up to Ford to mold both Hill and Lefau into capable starters for the foreseeable future. 

After all, that's what leaders do, right? 

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