Texas Football: 4 Longhorns who will blow up in 2023

Byron Murphy II, DL

Among the returning starters along the defensive front for the Longhorns, the most fearsome is junior defensive lineman Byron Murphy II. The preseason All-Big 12 defensive lineman finally gets his shot to set the tone for the defensive line as the starter at nose.

Murphy was a big-time contributor for Texas along the interior defensive line last season. But he split time at nose tackle in the IDL rotation with senior Keondre Coburn. Murphy is now the starter at nose tackle with Coburn going to the NFL Draft this offseason.

Defensive line coach Bo Davis and the Longhorns like to rotate the big humans along the defensive front. But Murphy will still be looking at 400+ defensive snaps if he stays healthy for the entire season.

Moreover, all we’ve heard throughout the offseason is how Murphy sets the tone in the trenches in workouts and on the practice field. He and senior interior defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat could be the best DL duo in the Big 12 this fall if they perform up to their ability.

Need more proof of just how much of a force Murphy will be in the trenches for the Longhorns this fall? Look at some of his preseason honors and recognition this year. Not only was Murphy an All-Big 12 defensive line selection this preseason, but he was also named to Bruce Feldman’s 2023 Freaks List.