5 bold predictions for Texas going into the 2024 season

Sydir Mitchell takes the most nose tackle snaps for Texas's iDL this season

Literally, a huge piece of Texas's defensive tackle room is the 6-foot-6 and 350-pound redshirt freshman Sydir Mitchell. No one really takes up space and takes on double teams physically with the strength that Mitchell brings with his large frame and overwhelming power.

Mitchell's problem is not with his ability to be that two-gapping big nose tackle who Texas can rely on to open up the lane for the downhill-running linebackers to find the ball carrier and bring them to the ground. His issue since he arrived on campus for camp last offseason as a true freshman was his consistent effort and conditioning.

Given the current state of Texas's defensive line rotation with under 10 days remaining of fall practice, this is probably the boldest of all the bold predictions on this list.

Inside Texas reported after the second fall scrimmage last weekend that Mitchell does "look quicker" than he did at the same time last year in training camp, which is a positive development for his game this fall camp. Mitchell has looked formidable in spurts while taking first and second-team reps with the interior defensive line for the Longhorns in the last two fall scrimmages in the last couple of weeks.

The question for Mitchell is whether the effort and consistency in practice can finally show up for the remaining stretches of fall practice and before the regular season opens next weekend against CSU. If Mitchell does start to show more signs of positive development in his motor on the practice field in the next 10 days in training camp, the difference he makes as a defensive line anchor is something that literally no other tackle can provide on Texas's roster for the iDL entering this fall.