Texas Football: Breaking down the 2018 depth chart

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 27 Texas Bowl – Texas v Missouri HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 27: University of Texas Longhorns defensive back Antwuan Davis (7) and University of Texas Longhorns defensive back Kris Boyd (2) talk between plays during the Texas Bowl game between the Texas Longhorns and the Missouri Tigers on December 27, 2017 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Cornerback

Starter: Kris Boyd, senior

Backup: Kobe Boyce, redshirt freshman

The Horns were looking at running either a true freshman or redshirt freshman behind senior Kris Boyd no matter what this season. Redshirt freshman Kobe Boyce is about the best option available to backup Boyd and play in some key moments if he’s ever needed in pass coverage.

Among all the candidates to lead the Horns in picks this fall, Boyd has to be at the top of the list. He nabbed two interceptions last year. Former Texas safety DeShon Elliott took hold of the interception lead for the team by far, but he’s gone now. If the Texas secondary still has the same nose for the ball as last year, someone like Boyd would see his numbers skyrocket.

The area in which Boyd needs to improve the most is defending the deep pass. Too often Boyd got beat over the top, whether it was a 20-yard touchdown pass or a 50+ yard pass down the field. Since he has decent speed and size, Boyd shouldn’t be getting beat like that just on athletic factors only.

On the other hand, Boyce has an intriguing backstory up to this point. He came out of nowhere to be a candidate to get some meaningful playing time this year. If Boyd misses any time this year, Boyce is the cornerback set to take his place. Boyce does need to get stronger, though, since he weighs in at just 175 pounds now.

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