Jaray Bledsoe, EDGE
One of the most important positions to watch in spring camp will be edge rusher. PK and the Longhorns need an impact player to emerge at EDGE this offseason if this defensive unit wants to get after opposing quarterbacks more effectively, and actually get home in 2023.
A name to watch that is a bit under the radar at EDGE heading into spring ball is the second-year former blue-chip recruit Jaray Bledsoe. The 6-foot-4 and 270-pound Bledsoe was one of the most explosive and athletic defensive linemen/edge rushers that the Longhorns signed in the 2022 class.
And despite only getting a handful of defensive snaps last season, Bledsoe was able to flash with his pass-rushing ability a couple of times. He was able to generate two quarterback pressures and one QB hit in just four snaps as a pass rusher last year, which came in the opener against ULM.
Bledsoe will be looking to build upon the flashes that he showed in brief live-game action along with some standout camp runs last offseason.
It sounds like Bledsoe was already able to impress the coaches in spring camp as an early enrollee last year. If he’s able to make more necessary strides in spring camp this offseason, he will be able to challenge for second-team reps at the jack spot behind junior Barryn Sorrell.
Bledsoe will be in a spot to compete for fellow second-year edge rusher Ethan Burke for the backup spot at jack behind Sorrell in the spring. Bledsoe is the more explosive of the two edge players, while Burke brings more length to the table with his 6-foot-7 frame.