Texas Football: CB Josh Thompson gets surprise start over Jalen Green

Texas football shook things up in the defensive backfield with the initial depth chart release by giving Josh Thompson the start at one corner slot.

The expectation throughout most of the offseason, at least once it was known that the Texas football program would have some form of a 2020 season in the midst of the novel coronavirus pandemic, was that junior Jalen Green would be a starter at cornerback. But the 6-foot-1 and 200 pound sizable defensive back Green won’t be getting that anticipated start to open up the 2020 season for the Texas secondary.

Head coach Tom Herman had the initial depth chart for the 2020 season for the Longhorns released on the evening of Sep. 7, to cap Labor Day Weekend. And there were two pretty big surprises on this depth chart release on Monday night.

The first was that former senior grad transfer Michigan Wolverines wideout Tarik Black would be getting the start at the X-wide receiver position over rising junior Brennan Eagles. Coming back this year, Eagles was the most productive wide receiver on the roster, with 522 receiving yards and six touchdowns during his sophomore campaign.

And the second bit of jostling news from this depth chart release came in the form of rising redshirt junior defensive back Josh Thompson getting the start over the likes of Green and redshirt freshman Kenyatta Watson II at one of the corner spots. Thompson was figured to be one of the more capable backups at one of the cornerback positions at the outset of the 2020 season.

But Thompson must’ve had a big run in fall camp for the Longhorns, while Green continued to be up and down. Last year, Green flashed the potential of becoming a solid primary cornerback. But his inconsistencies and injury problems last year held him back from assuming that role.

Moreover, what Thompson brings for the Longhorns this year is 46.0 career total tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass deflections. He only played in three games last season, before taking a redshirt due to injury.

Meanwhile, Green brings back 30.0 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and five pass deflections, from nine games played last season. Green should still get the chance to prove himself alongside the likes of Watson II, junior D’shawn Jamison, and Thompson.

Texas is set to open up their 2020 season on Sep. 12 at home against UTEP out of Conference-USA, with kick off at 7 p.m. CT. Then Texas opens up Big 12 play on the road in Lubbock on Sep. 26 against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.