Defensive Line Play will Key Resurgence in 2014
Defensive line should have been a strength for the Texas Longhorns last season. Think about it, Jackson Jeffcoat, Cedric Reed, Malcolm Brown, Desmond Jackson, Chris Whaley and Reggie Wilson have made an impact on the program in their time on campus.
Jeffcoat was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, All-Big 12 selection, a consensus All-American, team captain and MVP. Reed had a breakout season, registering 19 tackles for a loss, 16 quarterback pressures, 10 sacks and five forced fumbles. Whaley had a big interception return for a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners to swing momentum back to Texas in the Red River Rivalry. It was one of two scores for the former running back-turned-defensive end.
All that talent should have translated into a pretty stout run defense. This unit should have made Texas one of the top defenses in the country.
It didn’t turn out that way.
First, BYU gashed the defense for 550 yards on the ground. Then Ole Miss rushed for 272 yards the following week. Baylor ran for 221 yards to close out its first Big 12 title. An Oregon Ducks team that had people wondering if it would show up for the Valero Alamo Bowl, compiled 469 yards of offense in Mack Brown’s final game. It was a season to forget.
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The Texas defensive line had some gaudy stats. It tied for 7th among FBS schools in sacks, and 26th in tackles for a loss. As a component of the defense, however, it contributed to produce one of the worst defensive seasons Texas has ever seen. The Longhorns ranked 68th in the nation in total defense. The rush defense finished 83rd. Texas finished 57th in scoring defense. These are not numbers you expect to see from a Longhorn defense. The term ‘soft’ has been tossed around, something that doesn’t sit well with Jackson.
A new coaching staff has brought with it a new philosophy: the best players will play, regardless of how many stars were next to your name in high school. Reed, Brown and Jackson provide the experience this defense needs. Charlie Strong could not have asked for a better group of players to take on the leadership role. Even so, there are questions along the defensive line.
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Who among the defensive linemen will replace Jeffcoat, Whaley and Wilson? Hassan Ridgeway, Shiro Davis, Caleb Bluiett and Alex Norman will be expected to contribute. Reed will draw more double teams, meaning that one of the other ends will have to step into the fold. Who will be the man? Davis and Bluiett should get the first crack at taking Jeffcoat’s spot. Ridgeway will need to be able to pick up the slack should Brown or Jackson go down. If everyone does their job, this should look like a Texas defensive line fans are used to seeing.
And after last season, that will be a welcome sight on the Forty Acres.