On Texas Football: A look at the Longhorn defensive backfield
In the latest episode of On Texas Football, Bobby Burton and Ian Boyd dive into the Longhorn secondary ahead of the 15 Longhorn spring practices.
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On this episode, Bobby and Ian discuss
- The two begin with a look at the arrivals and departures. UT gains Gavin Holmes, Jalen Catalon, and Malik Muhammad, but loses D’Shawn Jamison, Anthony Cook, Jamier Johnson, JD Coffey, and Ishmael Ibraheem. Ian mentions that Holmes and Catalon are likely starters. “That’s what they’re here for, right?” Ian then discusses what the right fit is for both.
- Regarding Catalon, Bobby asks a pointed question: is he better than Anthony Cook? Ian retorts that he may not take Cook’s position, and that Catalon could move Jerrin Thompson to the field position. “It could be a double upgrade at safety,” Ian said.
- At CB, a discussion ensues how Texas defines its corner positions and fits for each candidate. Holmes is likely a field corner, while Terrance Brooks could end up playing a boundary spot behind Ryan Watts. At nickel, the two discuss Jahdae Barron and his entrenched status as a starter. “Now, who is the backup nickel if (Jaylon) Guilbeau is out?” Burton asked.
- With Muhammad, Ian sees him as a field corner. “It kind of depends on how physical he ends up being at the college level,” Ian said.
- Ian then muses about how Morice Blackwell could be a factor at nickel, but that might not be the right fit. “I feel like the guys that play nickel are more corners these days than they are safeties,” Bobby said. Ian retorted, “ideally.”
- For safety, the two discuss Thompson, Catalon, Kitan Crawford, Michael Taaffe, and BJ Allen. “Keep in mind, we do not mention Derek Williams… or Warren Roberson… both safeties who are not going to be here until summer time, Burton said. “We can’t really talk about them yet about how they fit into this picture.”
- Could Barron move to safety and Brooks slide to nickel if something were to happen to Catalon? “I don’t think that really makes the best use of (Barron)’s skill set,” Ian said.
- Where does Austin Jordan fit? “There’s been a lot of people who have wanted to move Austin Jordan to safety on his behalf since he was a junior in high school,” Ian said. “I thought he was pretty good at corner in high school.” However, Ian likes potentially giving him a look at field safety.
- Following these discussions, the two go into a look back at last year and lessons to be learned from the 2022 secondary.
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