Hook'em Headlines
Fansided

Texas Football: Ranking the 10 best Longhorns in 2018

By Andrew Miller

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Armanti Foreman #3 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates his touchdown with Collin Johnson #9 to take a 17-14 lead in front of Ajene Harris #27 of the USC Trojans during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Armanti Foreman #3 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates his touchdown with Collin Johnson #9 to take a 17-14 lead in front of Ajene Harris #27 of the USC Trojans during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 27: Anthony Wheeler #45 of the Texas Longhorns picks up a fumble and returns for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the Academy Sports & Outdoors Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 27: Anthony Wheeler #45 of the Texas Longhorns picks up a fumble and returns for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the Academy Sports & Outdoors Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Last season, it was Malik Jefferson leading the way for the linebacking corps for the Horns. Now, that role will fall between two other linebackers with senior Anthony Wheeler being one of them. The B-linebacker spot has the most question marks in the entire linebacking corps for the Horns, since injury and departures have plagued the depth.

Wheeler should be one of the steadier forces for the entire Texas defense since he brings the potential for at least 70 or 80 total tackles this fall. He was also key in stopping the run last year for Texas and had enough versatility to drop back in pass coverage some.

Over the course of his three-year career up to this point, Wheeler has already proved that he can force a lot of turnovers. Last season, he returned his first career turnover for a touchdown on a fumble recovery. In 2016, Wheeler also posted a career-high three forced fumbles. Wheeler can be one of the biggest playmakers that the Horns have on the defense.

The overall body of work is there for Wheeler to prove that he belongs among the best that Texas has on the roster in 2018. He has nearly 150 career total tackles and more than seven career tackles for loss. Having Wheeler back in the mix will be key to keeping the defense well connected all around.

Home/Texas Football