Texas Football: 4 newcomers bound to breakout in fall camp

Liona Lefau, LB

One of the most impact-ready linebackers that signed with the Longhorns in the 2023 class is the former four-star recruit out of Kahuku High School in Hawaii, Liona Lefau, who could push for a spot on the two-deep in fall camp.

We heard great things about Lefau’s performance during spring ball. He showed a high level of awareness in pass coverage and play recognition, taking snaps at the mike linebacker position during spring ball. The fact that Lefau enrolled early and impressed the coaching staff during spring ball gave him a leg up in and of itself. Showing he is more mature on the field than initially expected coming out of high school is just a feather in Lefau’s cap heading into fall camp.

Texas’ lack of proven linebacker depth outside of the Big 12 preseason Defensive Player of the Year, senior Jaylan Ford, also opens the door for Lefau to get more reps with the top two defensive teams in fall practice.

The opportunity will be there for Lefau to lock up a spot on the two-deep during fall camp. What can really set him apart from the rest of the young linebackers (outside of Anthony Hill Jr.), though, would be for him to prove he can be that rangy backer that can contest space and hold up well in run defense.

We know what Lefau can do in pass coverage, a major strength of his coming out of high school. The next step to prove he’s ready to be an impact player at linebacker early in his collegiate career is to develop as a run defender.