Projecting Texas football’s 2-deep depth chart vs. Alabama

Secondary

Field corner

1. D’Shawn Jamison

2. Jamier Johnson

Field corner was one of the standout positions for Texas in the opener. Senior D’Shawn Jamison made multiple huge plays last weekend, including that punt block that notched the first touchdown of the season for this team. He also had a pick-six off a deflected pass that was the lone defensive touchdown for Texas in that game.

Texas will need at least one of these types of plays from Jamison to close the gap on Alabama.

Boundary corner

1. Ryan Watts

2. Austin Jordan

An important player to watch this weekend will be the lengthy and physical 6-foot-3 boundary corner and redshirt sophomore Ryan Watts. After posting a solid performance in his Texas debut last weekend, Watts will be put to the test namely against Alabama transfer wideout Jermaine Burton on the outside.

Free safety

1. Jerrin Thompson

2. JD Coffey III

Texas needs to keep seeing junior safety Jerrin Thompson effectively leading this secondary in the back end of this defense. Thompson stepped up as a vocal leader for the Longhorns during fall camp. And he had a quiet but positive showing for Texas in Week 1.

Boundary safety

1. Anthony Cook

2. Kitan Crawford

Senior safety Anthony Cook made some big plays chasing down the ball carrier against ULM. Many of the good things that Cook did while playing at the star position last season came to the forefront again in the opener.

Texas will still likely be counting on junior safety and former converted corner Kitan Crawford to make an impact in some rotational snaps against the Tide.

Star

1. Jaylon Guilbeau

2. Jahdae Barron

One of the surprises of the early season depth charts could be the rise of the former four-star recruit and freshman defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau. After standing out while getting significant reps at the star spot last weekend, it wouldn’t shock me at all to see Guilbeau getting the starting reps here over junior Jahdae Barron.