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

4. Versatile group of linebackers

Two of the three starting linebackers from the 2017 campaign are back this year. Losing out on Malik Jefferson creates a big hole, but the Horns do have the resources to replace him when it’s all said and done. The thing that the linebacking corps will have to do to adequately take care of the loss of Jefferson all around is come together and be more efficient as a unit.

If the Horns can get both rising seniors in Anthony Wheeler and Gary Johnson to take another leap forward, it’ll help the new projected starter in this position group with rising junior Jeffrey McCulloch to come along quickly. Even McCulloch had a solid showing during the spring football game, bringing down the quarterback on multiple occasions.

Although fans will always take spring game results with a grain of salt, it signals progress coming from McCulloch. And, Texas has depth beyond McCulloch with Edwin Freeman, Malcolm Roach, and Ayodele Adeoye. Roach should be a force in the pass rush, and stuffing rushers at the line of scrimmage.

Moreover, Adoeye will be a key part of the Texas linebackers for years to come. He’s a rangy four-star linebacker recruit that should fit among the most impactful incoming freshmen for the Horns this fall. Watch out for this position group that’ll be huge for Texas.