Texas Football: 5 reasons Longhorns will have top defense in the Big 12

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AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 11: Carter Stanley #9 of the Kansas Jayhawks is wrapped up behind the line of scrimmage by Chris Nelson #97 of the Texas Longhorns in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

5. Seniors anchoring the defensive line

Even though Texas does lose guys like Ford and Naashon Hughes, the pass rush and run defense should still be fine up front. Thanks to a group of rising seniors along the defensive line including Chris Nelson, Charles Omenihu, Breckyn Hager, and Jamari Chisholm, the Horns have a good amount of experience coming back to campus.

The headliners of this group of seniors is Omenihu and Hager. If Hager can improve off his sack total from the 2016 campaign more so than he did last year, then Texas will have a clear leader to spearhead the pass rush. And, Omenihu finished tied for the team lead in sacks last season along with Malik Jefferson and Hager.

Beyond all the experience coming back for the Horns this fall, the defensive line is very deep. Texas has incoming freshmen such as Joseph Ossai and Keondre Coburn that could get some early playing time this season.

Even Nelson brings back a valuable skill set and body of work from year’s past to help this defensive line compete among the Big 12’s best. Nelson was a consistent contributor over the past three seasons. It would be great to see him cap off his career with the Horns in proper fashion.

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