Texas Longhorns Football Report Card: Defensive Line

Hook’em Headlines continues its Texas Longhorns football report card with the defense. Up first, we will take a look at this year’s defensive line and how they graded for the season.

Overall, the defensive line was no doubt one of the bright spots of an otherwise abysmal season. The defensive unit allowed only 4.68 yards per play, which ranked second in the Big 12 and 7th in the country, and were 30th in overall defense. Much of that can be attributed to the play of the defensive line.

First, let’s begin with a look at this year’s defensive tackles. Junior Malcom Brown had one of the best seasons of any Longhorns in recent history, and was arguably the best in country, garnering consensus first-team All-American honors and being named a finalist for the Nagurski and Outland trophies.

In addition to recording 72 tackles for the season, Brown led the team in tackles for a loss (15), sacks (6.5), making him the first to lead in both categories since 1984.

Texas Longhorns /

Texas Longhorns

The position did suffer a huge blow, however, when Desmond Harrison suffered a season-ending foot injury. Thesilver lining is that he has announced that he will be back next season, which is crucial considering the loss of Brown, who plans to enter the NFL Draft this spring.

Taking over in the starting lineup for Harrison was redshirt sophomore Hassan Ridgeway, who had an impressive season and became more and more consistent throughout the year.

Fellow redshirt sophomore Paul Boyette and true freshman Poona Ford proved to be reliable coming off the bench for the Longhorns as well.

Though it will be nearly impossible to replace a player like Brown, no doubt the team’s MVP, these players showed that the position should continue to be a strength for the Longhorns, particularly with the return of Harrison.