Texas Football: Position-by-position report card from non-conference play
Defensive line
When just looking at the stat sheet so far this season, Texas football doesn’t look to be getting much production out of the defensive line. But the defensive line remained steady and held up in each of the three games in 2019. Even in the loss to LSU, the defensive line remained steady and didn’t allow that rushing attack to do too much damage.
However, there does need to be more of a push through Big 12 play from the defensive line in the pass rush. There isn’t a single Longhorns defensive lineman that has more than one sack this season. All of that production in the pass rush is coming from the linebackers and safeties.
Two bright spots that could continue to emerge are redshirt freshman defensive tackle Keondre Coburn and senior defensive end Malcolm Roach. Coburn had lofty expectations coming into the season but only has four total tackles and one sack. Roach also needs to step up since he has just seven total tackles and one sack.
At least the defensive line is helping defensive coordinator Todd Orlando to get a good enough push and stake down to allow just three yards per carry to the opposition thus far. But the Big 12 will bring with it stronger and stronger ground games from teams like Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and the TCU Horned Frogs.