Texas Football: 3 defensive players ‘growing’ into new leadership roles
Jaylan Ford, LB
The undoubted leader on the defense heading into the 2023 season will be senior All-Big 12 linebacker Jaylan Ford. The deserved Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year for the 2022 season should have a massive chip on his shoulder in what will likely be his final season wearing the Burnt Orange.
It’s not only nabbing the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors that he deserved last season but also leading the Longhorns to a conference title that should serve as major motivators for Ford this year. Ford, along with the other two senior Longhorns defenders on this list, has yet to even play for a Big 12 Championship in their time on the Forty Acres thus far.
Ford, in particular, emerged as one of the key playmakers and leaders on the field for Texas last season. He became that off-ball linebacker that Texas needed as the glue on this defense. Whenever Texas needed a play to be made, it seemed like Ford had the answer.
He finished up the 2022 season with a whopping 119 combined tackles, double-digit tackles for loss, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Moreover, upon the departure of senior linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, it will now be up to Ford to teach some of the younger guys at the position such as true freshmen Anthony Hill Jr., Liona Lefau, and S’Maje Burrell.
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From what we’re hearing coming out of winter workouts, Ford is simultaneously improving his own game while helping along new linebacker enrollees such as Hill and Lefau. The ability to hold his own while seeing the development of those younger linebackers will do nothing but make Ford a better player during his senior campaign.