Texas Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2018

Free Safety

1. Brandon Jones

Free safety is very deep for Texas also, despite the loss of the standout Elliott, heading into the 2018 season. The starter at this position should be rising junior Brandon Jones. Among all the defensive backs that have flown under the radar for the Horns of late, Jones might be the best.

Jones is a very versatile safety that can help plug gaps in defending the run and be a solid defender in pass coverage. He doesn’t really possess the ability to completely blanket his receiver, but that’s not needed in his role. Last year, Jones showed his versatility by posting four tackles for loss and two pass deflections while not starting every single week.

However, Jones held a pretty large part of the Texas secondary last year. He’ll continue to be relied on in that regard this season. His size and pure athleticism contribute a lot to the Texas pass coverage. Expect a big jump for Jones in a bigger spotlight in 2018.

2. Caden Sterns

Foster gets the nod as the backup at strong safety. Meanwhile, one of the top 2018 high school prospects in the nation gets the nod as the next in line to start at free safety. Five-star safety, and the top rated prospect at his position in the nation Caden Sterns, is ready to make his name known.

Sterns already looked solid throughout his final showings in his high school football career and on into spring camp. He was one of the early enrollees, alongside Foster, that should help him get an early jump on things. Sterns will be a monster very soon for the Horns.