3 takeaways from Texas football’s first week of fall practice
When it’s the last rep of the last summer workout @OvieOghoufo pic.twitter.com/oSYfNINNt9
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) July 30, 2022
Ovie Oghoufo is the x-factor among the linebackers
Texas fans likely know what they’re getting this fall out of the projected starting linebacker duo of super senior DeMarvion Overshown and junior Jaylan Ford. The duo of Overshown and Ford at times seems like all the Texas fans and media can talk about at the linebacker position.
But another player that will have a huge say in the effectiveness of the Texas linebacker corps this fall is the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish transfer and senior Ovie Oghoufo. We know that Overshown and Ford are going to make an impact on this defense at the linebacker position this fall. That leaves the likes of Oghoufo and former FCS All-American transfer Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey as the potential wildcards at the position.
When asked about impact players on defense, PK mentioned DeMarvion Overshown. He also likes Ovie Oghoufo making strides with more reps and expects the interior D-line to be the strength of the unit. #HookEm
— Jeff Howe (@JeffHowe247) August 2, 2022
Moreover, it sounds like Oghoufo is quietly making some necessary strides to become a more effective pass-rusher throughout this offseason. Oghoufo has apparently won some of the battles in practice in pass-rushing drills that he wasn’t doing so commonly last year.
It still looks like the biggest question mark for the Texas defense heading into the regular season is the pass rush. Given the apparent progress of Oghoufo since spring ball, a big season from him could make a world’s difference in the disruptiveness and overall effectiveness of this defensive unit this fall.
It is clear that Oghoufo must be a more impactful pass rusher this fall. He posted the worst pass-rushing grade of his collegiate career last season and came up with fewer than two sacks. That was especially detrimental to the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of Texas’ pass rush last year given that Oghoufo took more than 150 snaps as a pass rusher.