3 takeaways from Texas's Tuesday spring practice

Andrew Mukuba emerging as a veteran leader of the secondary

Another noteworthy report from the secondary coming out of Texas's spring practice on Tuesday was the performance of the former Clemson Tigers senior transfer safety Andrew Mukuba. Multiple practice reports and media discussions pegged Mukuba as one of the real standouts from camp on April 2.

That is a very positive development considering the fact that we've heard so much about Mukuba being more of a vocal leader and leader by example on the practice field and in the locker room this spring.

Mukuba has earned the first-team practice reps at safety that he reportedly has been getting more and more frequently in camp in the last week. He's been getting most of the first-team practice reps at safety opposite rising sophomore Derek Williams Jr. nearing the halfway point of spring camp.

It isn't just Mukuba's leadership qualities and work ethic that have elevated his status on the two-deep in Texas's secondary this spring. He's also made some big plays in team drills that have set him apart as a real difference-maker in the defensive backfield.

All seems to be coming together quite well for the Longhorns at the safety position early this offseason. Safety was one of the most inconsistent performing position groups on the defensive side of the ball for Pete Kwiatkowski and the Longhorns last fall.

The growth of Williams in his second year at Texas and the addition of Mukuba, along with another returning upperclassmen starter in redshirt junior Michael Taaffe, has instilled more confidence in this starting group of safeties this spring.