Hook'em Headlines
Fansided

Under-the-radar defender set to play a key role for Texas' defense in 2025

Junior linebacker Liona Lefau has his eyes set on a somewhat "new" role this season, potentially paving the way for other teammates to be more productive.
ByMatthew Wilson|
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Liona Lefau (18) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Liona Lefau (18) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Liona Lefau stepped up big time for Texas football in 2024, taking over as one of the starting linebackers alongside All-American Anthony Hill Jr. and David Gbenda. Though Lefau undoubtedly had some growing pains in his first season seeing significant playing time, a lot of folks believe that he'll be a key player for the Longhorns' defense in 2025 for multiple reasons.

Throughout the first week or so of fall camp, one of the starting defenders has stood out in terms of his size and performance flying around the field: Liona Lefau.

When talking about size, it's important to note that he's not necessarily a big player (6'1", 227 lbs.), but he definitely looks different in comparison to last season. It looks like he's put on 10 pounds of solid muscle, especially in his lower body. His calves and quads seem larger, and his explosiveness appears to have improved due to this fact along with Texas' offseason agility training. Lefau has been a dominant pass defender in practice, specifically in zone coverage where he can use his sideline-to-sideline speed to shut down passing lanes at the second level.

Based on what we've seen in camp, it looks like the defensive staff could use him in a different type of role this season. One that would undoubtedly make things easier for Anthony Hill Jr. and even Trey Moore, who officially moved into more of an off-ball linebacker role this spring. If Lefau could be an elite coverage player for the Longhorns in 2025, it could open up a whole new bag of tricks for the defensive coaching staff to utilize.

Anthony Hill Jr. and Trey Moore could easily blitz more often on third downs going forward, an area in white they're both elite in. Multiple analysts and Texas media members have mentioned the possibility of something like this being a "plan" for DC Pete Kwiatkowski and Co. this season, and it's easy to see why.

Having such a multi-faceted, position-flexible player like Lefau on your defense allows you to do things that could end up haunting the dreams of opposing offenses.

Home/Texas Football