Texas Football: 3 edge rushers that can become stars in 2021

Jacoby Jones, DE

Although he doesn’t look like he will start at JACK linebacker for the Longhorns this fall, the former Oklahoma Sooners commit and JUCO transfer Jacoby Jones is ready to assume a bigger role in 2021. Jones could be in line, though, to start as a true defensive end for Kwiatkowski and Choate during his senior campaign.

Depending on what position the former blue-chip recruits and second-year linemen Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton line up at this fall, Jones could have a pretty clear path to the starting role all things considered. His biggest competition could come from one of those two, or the former Alabama Crimson Tide senior transfer Ben Davis.

Davis might also be one that gets reps at multiple different spots for the Longhorns this fall. He mostly played in an outside linebacker role during his four years at Alabama (at least when he was healthy).

Meanwhile, Jones started to come on of late with some underrated production for the Longhorns. In bits and pieces of nine games played last fall, Jones registered 28 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, two fumble recoveries, and 15 total quarterback pressures. His pressure rate was pretty good last season, around 7.9 percent.

If that production sees even a slight uptick in this new defensive scheme for Jones, he could immediately become one of the most productive and underrated pass rushers in the Big 12. He showed off a good level of versatility last fall, and is definitely a breakout candidate in 2021.