Texas Football: Projected 2023 defensive 2-deep upon Jaylan Ford’s return

After the announcement that rising senior linebacker Jaylan Ford will be returning to the Texas football program in 2023, it looks like Pete Kwiatkowski has his group of returning starters set for the upcoming season. Texas’ defense looks set to return six or seven starters, depending on how you would classify the departure of senior D’Shawn Jamison at the field corner position.

While the Texas defense won’t return as many starters as the other side of the ball for the 2023 season, there is still plenty of talent and depth coming back. PK and the Longhorns’ defensive staff have recruited well on the defensive side of the ball in the past two cycles. And we’re going to continue to see those efforts on the recruiting trail pay dividends on the field next season.

Some of the losses on defense for the Longhorns could be necessary since some of the younger and more talented players now have the door open to compete for starting reps.

Texas football’s projected two-deep defensive depth chart in 2023 upon the return of Jaylan Ford

However, some of the key departures that Texas will have to deal with on the defensive side of the ball are as follows.

• DeMarvion Overshown, LB (Senior)
• Anthony Cook, S (Senior)
• Ovie Oghoufo, EDGE (Senior)
• Moro Ojomo, DL (Senior)
• Keondre Coburn, DL (Senior)
• Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, LB (Senior)

Some of those departures are ones that Texas can swallow with the improved depth in certain spots on the defense. With that in mind, here’s a look at the projected two-deep defensive depth chart for the Longhorns in 2023 upon the return of Ford at linebacker.