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Texas Football: 10 reasons to be excited about the 2018 season

By Andrew Miller

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 14: Bevo, the Texas Longhorns' mascot stands behind the end zone before the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 14: Bevo, the Texas Longhorns' mascot stands behind the end zone before the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 09: Tyler Nevens #23 of the San Jose State Spartans is tackled by Malik Jefferson #46 and DeShon Elliott #4 of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 09: Tyler Nevens #23 of the San Jose State Spartans is tackled by Malik Jefferson #46 and DeShon Elliott #4 of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

4. Athletic front seven that could dominate in the trenches

What should be the best part of the Texas defense this season is the entirety of the front seven. The linebacking corps does lose some key pieces like Jefferson and Hughes, but some new faces are ready to step in now. Rising senior linebackers Anthony Wheeler and Gary Johnson are already proven and could be even better in 2018.

Meanwhile, the defensive line should be just as good as last year, if not better this time around. Breckyn Hager and Charles Omenihu should be able to dominate coming off the edges, especially in a Big 12 with some weaker offensive lines. Texas will need Hager and Omenihu to come up big this fall.

Up the middle, the loss of Ford is big (he’s now with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent) but a rising senior in Chris Nelson be fine taking over that spot on the line. Gerald Wilbon is there to provide some depth too.

Watch out for a few potential breakout candidates in the front seven like Ta’Quon Graham, Ayodele Adeoye, and Jeffrey McCulloch. There’s a ton of raw talent in this front seven group and it should guide the Horns to dominate in the trenches this year. At least in Big 12 play, Texas will hold the edge in this regard.

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