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Texas Football: 10 Longhorns Who Will Turn Program Around in 2016

By Tyler Brett

Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2014; Stillwater, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive end Naashon Hughes (40) gets set on defense against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Stillwater, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive end Naashon Hughes (40) gets set on defense against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Naashon Hughes, Fox

The Fox position is a focal point for Charlie Strong’s defense and is a showcase for one of the team’s most versatile defenders. This season, junior Naashon Hughes will lead this group of hybrid DE/LB and provide much-needed leadership off the edge.

Last season, Hughes led all defensive lineman at Texas with 57 tackles with 9.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, both tops among returning players. This Longhorn defense has to take the next step in 2016 and finding a go-to presence in the pass-rush is crucial. While the team averaged a Big 12-best 3.08 sacks per game last season, they had just one player, Peter Jinkens, finish in the top-10 in sacks.

With Jinkens now gone, the mantle of leadership falls on Hughes. He needs to take his game to the next level and truly become a force against opposing quarterbacks. From his Fox position, Hughes will get the opportunity to be moved around and utilized from multiple angles, giving him great opportunities to make an impact. It will be up to him to set an example for a young, talented linebacker corps on how winning defense gets played.

If Hughes can really blossom this season at the Fox position, he has the opportunity to be one of the most versatile and effective pass-rushers in the conference. This Texas defense needs someone to step up and Hughes has all the tools to make it happen.

Next: 6. D'Onta Foreman, RB

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