Assessing 3 underrated summer portal targets for Texas football
Monte’ McGary, S
Another position of need throughout much of the offseason to date for the Longhorns on the defensive side of the ball lies at safety. Texas didn’t really take any steps to address the safety need in the portal so far this offseason. But Texas could have some personnel changes in the secondary this coming season that helps to fix some of the issues we saw come about last fall.
But this is another position where I don’t see much of a downside in adding an underrated depth player out of the portal that could be a safe play heading into fall camp. That’s why it could be worth looking into what the former Utah State Aggies senior safety and grad transfer Monte’ McGary.
This true college football journeyman has now spent time with the FCS South Dakota State Jackrabbits, Troy Trojans, and Utah State dating back to 2017. But there is still one year of eligibility remaining for McGary thanks to the COVID-19 redshirt year.
McGary is available to help provide a boost in the secondary thanks to his ability to make plays in pass protection and to occasionally be disruptive around the line of scrimmage. McGary proved during his time at South Dakota State and Utah State that he is an effective safety in pass coverage and can occasionally blow up plays in the backfield utilizing his natural nose for the football.
He’s got four run stuffs, just shy of 35 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, and three quarterback pressures during his limited defensive snaps in two seasons at Utah State and South Dakota State.
Where McGary comes alive, though, is with his aforementioned skills in pass coverage. He’s been targeted in pass coverage more than 30 times, which resulted in 15 catches for 151 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. But he came up with a half-dozen pass breakups, one interception, and only allowed one completion of more than 30 yards.
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McGary is clearly not the type of defensive back that will come in and start right away for Texas. But he could be a key experienced backup that serves as a bit of an insurance policy in pass coverage assignments. At 6-foot-1 and 185-pounds, and with his proven track record in pass coverage, McGary does bring intriguing value to the table out of the portal.