Texas Football: Breaking down the 2018 depth chart

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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 21: J.D. King #27 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys runs the ball in the fourth quarter pursued by Gary Johnson #33 of the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Rover

Starter: Gary Johnson, senior

Backup: Cameron Townsend, junior

The transfer of Freeman allowed junior Cameron Townsend to surprisingly land a backup role at rover this fall. Over the course of the past two years, the only stats that Townsend registered with the Horns was four total tackles. Townsend was at least a four-star linebacker prospect signed back with Charlie Strong during the 2016 recruiting class.

Texas does need to do its best to keep the senior and former JUCO transfer Gary Johnson healthy to command the rover position. Johnson began to show why he can be one of the very best and most highly regarded players that the Horns have on both sides of the ball for the 2018 season.

Among any candidate that you could think of for the Horns, Johnson is one of the most likely to be both First-Team All-Big 12 and potential All-American honorees. Texas doesn’t have anyone that jumps off the page at you in that regard. Johnson is so rangy and athletic that he is perfect for Orlando’s scheme and set to potentially become this defense’s best linebacker.

Last season, Johnson racked up 57 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and one sack. He could be one of the leading tacklers for Texas and also a difference maker game in and game out. Johnson will set the standard for the next rover that will take over after his departure. That should be someone like Adeoye.

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