Steve Sarkisian calls Texas' depth at defensive line great during spring football

A season ago, the defensive line duo of Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat was the biggest strength of Texas‘ roster. But they are now members of the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans, respectfully. So now, the defensive line is arguably the biggest question for Steve Sarkisian in 2024 as he leads the program into the SEC.

Texas has added some experience at the position this offseason, adding Bill Norton and Tiaoalii Savea out of the NCAA transfer portal, both out of Arizona. Both add good size up the middle but the group as a whole is different than what last year’s tandem offer. Sarkisian used the word “athletic” to describe the group in 2024.

“I don’t know if we’re going to have a T’Vondre Sweat, who can sit in there and two gap,” Sarkisian said. “And I don’t know if we’re going to have a penetrator as Byron Murphy was. But I do think we’re a very athletic group with size.”

Maybe the biggest win at defensive line was somebody Texas convinced to stay for another season. Alfred Collins could have declared for the 2024 NFL Draft but is returning in the hopes of having a breakout season for the Longhorns and potentially improving his draft stock.

Sarkisian knows Collins is a weapon for new defensive line coach Kenny Baker, having the ability to deploy him in multiple positions and allow others into the lineup.

“A guy that we’ve been excited to come back to school this year is Alfred Collins,” Sarkisian said. “He definitely hasn’t disappointed. He’s had a great spring. Very versatile player. Can play base end, can play a three-technique. He can even slide down and play over the center some. His versatility helps us.”

Texas did attempt to bring in somebody during the spring transfer portal window. The recruitment of TCU‘s Damoic Williams was a battle but one ultimately won by Red River arch-rival Oklahoma. Adding Williams would have only added to the depth Sarkisian already likes in Austin.

Williams or no Williams, Sarkisian knows Texas may have to switch up philosophies based on how the defensive front develops over the next few months. Not many out there are at the level of Sweat or Murphy but Sarkisian believes in the “great” depth he has at his disposal.

“Are we going to have to angle and slant a little bit more? Are we going to have to play maybe a little more single high and maybe not so much split safeties to make sure that we’re gapped out? Time will tell. But it is a talented room and those guys are working hard right now,” Sarkisian said.