Assessing 3 transfers that could make-or-break Texas football in 2022

Ryan Watts, CB

One of the two former Ohio State Buckeyes players that Sark and the Longhorns staff landed out of the transfer portal this offseason is the redshirt sophomore cornerback Ryan Watts. Texas likely find their starting cornerback opposite super senior D’Shawn Jamison in Watts. He proved during his two years at Ohio State that he can effectively deal with one-on-one assignments in pass coverage, especially against lengthier wideouts.

The 6-foot-3 and 205-pound Watts is much lengthier than most cornerbacks you’ll find in the Big 12. He’s rapidly improved his ball skills and natural feel for playing in pass coverage in the last couple of seasons compared to what we saw from him in high school.

Watts also has improved his tackling ability to minimize mistakes when he has the opportunity to bring down the ball carrier in the open field. All around, Watts has become a more complete defensive back in his first two years in college.

That’s why Texas will be getting so much value out of him via the transfer portal this year and beyond. Watts will give Texas another lengthy and physical cornerback that can effectively jam opposing wideouts in pass coverage. There’s also enough flat-out speed and agility that Watts brings to the table which will allow him to keep up with opposing wideouts on intermediate and deep routes.

Texas needs to make some significant strides in their effectiveness in pass coverage this season compared to last. Throughout much of the Big 12 slate last year, Texas struggled to defend the pass. That will need to change if Texas is to improve as an entire defensive unit in 2022.

And Watts will play a major role in the ability for Texas to improve on this side of the ball during the 2022 season.