Texas Football: 3 reasons the Longhorns can dominate Arkansas
Texas’ defense can turn KJ Jefferson one-dimensional
Where this game could get away from Sark and the Longhorns is if Arkansas gets its three-headed monster going in unison this weekend. Arkansas’ most potent trio on offense features dual-threat quarterback KJ Jefferson, redshirt junior running back (and former Arizona State Sun Devils transfer) Trelon Smith, and junior wide receiver Treylon Burks.
If Texas lets those three get going, it could be a long day for new co-defensive coordinators/linebackers coaches Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate. But the key to limiting the explosiveness of that trio is ensuring that the Longhorns’ defensive front makes life difficult for Jefferson.
Texas is likely going to give up some level of yardage to Jefferson. The 6-foot-3 and 245-pound dual-threat signal-caller is just too big and elusive to stop all the time. In the Hogs’ win over Rice last weekend, Jefferson rushed for 89 yards on eight carries, good for two rushing scores.
Jefferson actually never had a game where he registered a negative tally for rushing yards (if you include sack yardage even).
But where Texas can make life uncomfortable for Jefferson is by creatively getting pressure in the pocket. Make Jefferson step up and have to hit his targets in the passing game downfield instead of letting him roll out to do damage to this Texas defense.
Jefferson doesn’t often look to try and climb the pocket either, which is key for linebackers DeMarvion Overshown and Luke Brockermeyer. In fact, in 21 dropbacks where Jefferson was blitzed in the last two seasons, he was sacked four times and scrambled six times.
When Jefferson rolls out and has time to make his throws, he’s actually got a really good arm on the run. Texas can’t let him get too many plays with time and room to run when rolling out.
It’s not purely about just getting pressure on Jefferson. Texas has to be smart about how it’s done. Jefferson actually has a much lower passer rating when the pocket is kept clean and he’s forced to go through his reads than when he scrambles.
The plan for Texas should be to creatively get pressure when necessary and otherwise force Jefferson to beat them with his arm. Jefferson still has major strides to make as a passer, and Texas could get him out of rhythm early by making him one-dimensional.