Analyzing 3 Texas football defensive players who must step up in fall camp

On Aug. 3, head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas football program will get underway with fall camp. Texas will need to get off to a strong start in camp this fall as this team is set to face a difficult non-conference slate to open up the 2022 regular season next month.

Sark and the Longhorns staff also took to the spotlight on Aug. 2 by taking part in media availability before the start of fall practice the following day. And one of the key focal points of media availability on Aug. 2 was the discussion surrounding the Texas defense heading into the 2022 season.

Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Pete Kwiatkowski was one of the Texas coaches that took part in media availability this week, taking a rather generic approach to answer some of the questions that came his way. At least that was the case for the most part on Aug. 2.

But that won’t take the attention away from the fans watching the progress of the Longhorns’ defense under Coach K in fall camp. Kwiatkowski and the Longhorns must get ready for a difficult non-conference schedule this fall by having a successful run in camp.

Texas football defensive players that must shine in fall camp

With that in mind, here’s a look at an analysis of three Longhorns defensive players that must step up in fall camp this year.

Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, LB

Among the most impactful new additions to the Texas defense this offseason, especially by way of the NCAA Transfer Portal, is the former FCS All-American and grad transfer senior James Madison Dukes linebacker Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey. Late in the spring, Coach K and the Longhorns added a commitment out of the portal from Tucker-Dorsey.

Right away, it looked like “Tuck” was making a positive impact on his teammates and the defensive staff during the summer semester. And with some of the extra on-field practice work and time in the film room that Tuck got during the summer with some of the new NCAA rules in place this offseason, he should be even more familiar with Coach K’s schemes.

That should mean that Tuck really shows out in fall camp and is able to continue to make a positive impression.

The question will be whether he can do enough to win a starting job for Week 1 vs. ULM. Tuck will likely be duking it out with redshirt junior linebacker David Gbenda for starting reps at the sam linebacker position in fall camp.

The edge that Tuck could have over Gbenda in fall camp at the sam linebacker position could be his proven production as someone that can find the ball consistently and make positive plays for this defensive front. Tuck was a true playmaker for James Madison in the last few seasons. And he was especially effective in finding the ball carrier when defending the run.

If Tuck can lead by example for this defensive front in fall camp it will not only benefit him in this looming position battle but also help move this entire front seven forward ahead of the start of the regular season.