3 possible position changes for Texas in fall camp

Jaray Bledsoe

Current Position: DL

Possible switch: EDGE

Junior Jaray Bledsoe could realistically be considered Texas's most athletic and explosive defensive lineman. Bledsoe is an absolute matchup nightmare in one-on-one blocking matchups when he gets the proper get-off from the line of scrimmage and uses his hands well.

Bledsoe played a more significant role for the defensive line for the Longhorns in live-game action during his sophomore campaign compared to the reps he got on defense as a true freshman. He nearly took 100 defensive snaps last season as his spot on the two-deep along the interior defensive line slightly elevated last fall.

The issue Bledsoe is running into regarding his spot on the interior defensive line rotation early in fall practice is finding the exact place where he fits along the line of scrimmage. Bledsoe is an absolute beast physically with how he looks in warm up drills and getting off the bus for practice and games.

But Bledsoe has yet to consistently show he can hold up in run defense and the pass rush from the traditional three-tech or 4i with his hand in the dirt in spring ball and fall camp last year.

A good way for Bledsoe to find his way onto the field more often this fall along the defensive front could be to expand his role further out wide for PK's scheme. If Bledsoe could play some five-tech and look like more of a natural edge rusher, he could take advantage of both his power/strength and his quickness and explosiveness from the get-off.

It wouldn't surprise me to see PK and Johnny Nansen experiment some with the idea of trying out a more athletic and versatile defensive lineman like Bledsoe in some other alignments along the defensive front this fall and in camp.