Wyoming Cowboys Defensive Players To Watch vs. Texas Longhorns

The Wyoming Cowboys' consistent defense could turn the tables for the Week 3 matchup against the Texas Longhorns.

When Wyoming plays the Texas Longhorns this upcoming Saturday, it will undoubtedly be a bumpy game for the Cowboys. With a below-par offensive passing game, averaging about 175 yards compared to the Longhorn's 324 this season, Wyoming will need to use its defense to keep the score tightly knit. 

The Cowboys' defense has been consistently strong over the past few years. In 2020, Wyoming was ranked No. 16 among all FBS teams in total defense, which arguably can be analyzed as one of the best defenses in the league. At the end of the 2021 season, the Cowboys ranked No. 12 in the county for defending the pass, only allowing 188.9 yards per game.

However, there is a major defensive coaching change this season. Marty English, long-time assistant defensive ends coach, departed from the Cowboys after 37 years of coaching.

Former Cowboys' 2008-11 linebacker, Brian Hendricks took English's place. Before agreeing to coach for Wyoming, Hendricks served as a defensive ends coach for Illinois State, Montana and the Colorado School of Mines.

Here are the defensive players the Longhorns will need to keep a close eye on in Week 3.

DE Braden Siders

Siders will be titled as one of the best defensive ends in the Mountain West Conference as the season continues.

Siders had a stand-out year last season.  As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Siders started all 13 games and led the Cowboys in tackles for a loss at 13.5. He claimed seven sacks on the season, ranking him second on Wyoming's defense and totaled 44 tackles all in his first year as a starter, and he only has room for improvement.

In 2022, Siders was named an Honorable Mention Freshman All-American, according to College Football News.

This year, Siders is off to a slower start in total tackles, only recording two so far. However, he is currently leading the Cowboys' defense with 1.5 sacks.

The Texas offensive line will need to watch Siders as he is quick on the pass rush and familiar with catching offenses behind the line of scrimmage.

LB Shae Suiaunoa

Suiaunoa is at the top of the defensive leaderboard currently for Wyoming. With 11 solo recorded tackles, Suiaunoa shares the top slot with defensive back Brook Brown and ranks above Cowboys' linebacker Easton Gibbs. 

On top of his 11 recorded solo tackles, Suiaunoa has a sack under his belt this season.

DE DeVonne Harris 

Finishing at the top of his depth chart for a defensive end spot, Harris will most likely be a top defender as the 2023 season continues.

Out of Big Lake High School in Big Lake, MN, Harris was ranked as the No. 12 recruit in the state of Minnesota, according to 247 Sports.

As a sophomore in 2022, Harris started all 13 games of the season and ranked at the top of the Cowboy's list in sacks at 8.0 and finished second on the roster in tackles for a loss (13.0) behind Siders.

This year, Harris has totaled five solo tackles and recorded a sack.