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Texas Football: Early bold predictions for the Longhorns in 2018

By Andrew Miller

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 07: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns sings the Eyes of Texas after the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 07: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns sings the Eyes of Texas after the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 14: Kris Boyd #2 of the Texas Longhorns pursues Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half of a football game at the Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 14: Kris Boyd #2 of the Texas Longhorns pursues Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half of a football game at the Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

2. Kris Boyd nearly fills DeShon Elliott’s shoes with five interceptions

Much of the opportunity that Johnson has in the passing game can be compared to what senior cornerback Kris Boyd has in the secondary this year. The loss of safety DeShon Elliott is tough for Texas, but this team has more than enough talent to replace him. One of those players expected to help replace his production is Boyd.

Last season, Elliott hauled in six interceptions. The next best was a group of four defensive backs that each reeled in two. Boyd was among that group. But, he had to split that up with Holton Hill, Antwuan Davis, and Davante Davis. Three of the five defensive backs that managed at least two picks last year are all gone now.

Someone needs to step up and replace all that lost production if this secondary is to even come close to thriving like it did last year in a tough passing conference like the Big 12. Davante Davis has potential and will be starting opposite Boyd. The safety position is also very deep for Texas and will provide support for Boyd and Davis.

Boyd is expected to be one of the top 2019 NFL Draft prospects from Texas by some known sports media sources like the Dallas Morning News, Athlon Sports, and Walter Football. To fill that level of expectation, he’ll need to nab a few more interceptions as one of the top cornerbacks on the depth chart for the Horns in 2018.

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