Texas Football: 3 new potential starters to watch in spring

Jerrin Thompson, S

The impact of the roster attrition for the Longhorns this offseason will mainly be felt on the defensive side of the ball. Losses like junior star JACK linebacker/edge rusher Joseph Ossai, junior safety Caden Sterns, senior safety Chris Brown, and senior defensive end Ta’Quon Graham, among others, means a lot of new faces need to step up for Kwiatkowski and co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Jeff Choate this year.

Texas is really losing some notable names in the defensive backfield from last year’s team. Junior cornerback Jalen Green, sophomore cornerback Kenyatta Watson II, and freshman safety Xavion Alford all left too via the NCAA Transfer Portal. This is where someone like former talented four-star recruit and sophomore safety Jerrin Thompson can play a big role for the secondary.

The 6-foot and 190 pound Thompson did get some valuable snaps for the Longhorns last fall. In bits and pieces of five games played last season, Thompson registered 14 combined tackles, no tackles for loss, no sacks, one interception, and one pass breakup. His interception last year, which was the first of his career, came against the Kansas State Wildcats in their regular season finale win.

It could be the likes of Thompson and junior former five-star recruit B.J. Foster starting at the two safety positions this fall. Foster has a lot more game experience under his belt than Thompson, but the sophomore looks ready to go as he was productive down the stretch last season. Texas will need someone new to step up in the secondary no matter what this year.