Texas Football: 3 seniors the Longhorns should want back in 2022

D’Shawn Jamison, CB

A fan favorite once upon a time and a versatile weapon on defense and special teams, senior cornerback D’Shawn Jamison has actually had a pretty disappointing 2021 season so far. Jamison returned as the most productive cornerback for the Longhorns in 2021.

Coming back this year, Jamison had registered three interceptions, 10 pass breakups, more than 60 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, and a kick and/or punt return touchdown in every single season. His box score stats don’t look all that bad from this season, but he’s not making the same level of impact on defense and special teams as he did in the prior two seasons.

Despite that, Jamison would still be a valuable corner/special teams threat to have back next fall. If nothing else, he would be one of the most experienced returning special teams returners and/or cornerbacks in the Big 12 in 2022.

While it would probably be nice to have both Jamison and fellow senior corner Josh Thompson back next fall, Texas might not get both starters. Looking inside the numbers this fall, though, Jamison actually remained the more consistent corner between him and Thompson. Since around the middle of the Big 12 slate last month, Thompson started to get beat on the outside more often and miss more open-field tackles.

Meanwhile, Jamison has just one missed tackle on the season and the third-best defensive grade of anyone in the secondary for the Longhorns thus far.

I would personally take Jamison back next season, if there is a choice, over Thompson. But getting both of them back would obviously be helpful if the Longhorns want some experience back at the cornerback position in 2022.