Snap count takeaways: Looking at the 2024 Texas Longhorns defense

Even if you might disagree with Pro Football Focus’ grades, they provide useful raw data. One of the bits of information that PFF provides is snap counts.

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So far, Texas opponents have run 506 total offensive plays through eight games. Who has been out there for those plays says a lot about Texas’ current defense.

Essential personnel is clear

Only five Longhorns have played 350 or more snaps this year, which averages to at least 44 defensive plays per game. Those players are Star Jaylon Guilbeau (350), safety Michael Taaffe (367), linebacker Anthony Hill (375), cornerback Malik Muhammad (415), and defensive back Jahdae Barron (449).

These players aren’t subbed out for matchup reasons. Whether the opponents are in a run-centric set or are five-wide, Steve Sarkisian and Pete Kwiatkowski want to have these five on the field if their stamina allows it. In fact, rest purposes have been the only reason any of these players have left the field so far this season.

Barron and Muhammad both being above 400 snaps is indicative of the quality of their play at the cornerback position. Barron leading the team in defensive snaps also shows how useful he is for Kwiatkowski. Not only can he play corner, but he can play star (75 snaps over slot receivers) or in the box (63 snaps as part of specialty third-down packages).

Guilbeau may sub out when opponents are in more run-focused personnel packages. Those situations may bring on Jelani McDonald as a big nickel or else another defensive linemen. But with modern football focusing so much on passing personnel, Guilbeau has found a home in the Texas defense.

Taaffe is the chief communicator in the back end and provides high quality play as well. He has the second highest PFF defensive grade on the team and isn’t afraid to throw his weight around. Hill is the main man in the middle at linebacker, wearing the in-helmet communication device.

The D-line is just going to rotate

Texas rotated defensive linemen when it had two draft picks. Texas rotated defensive linemen when it had two All-Americans. Texas is still rotating defensive linemen, and that includes players who line up at Buck or Jack.

Here are the D-linemen with the most snaps:

• EDGE Trey Moore – 304
• DT Alfred Collins – 286
• EDGE Barryn Sorrell – 284
• DT Vernon Broughton – 283
• DT Jermayne Lole – 207
• EDGE Colin Simmons – 202
• EDGE Ethan Burke – 159
• DT Bill Norton – 106

Texas wants its better tackles out on the field in crunch time, which explains the discrepancy of about a game’s worth of snaps between Broughton and Lole.

Moore leading is explained by his versatility. He can play Buck on standard downs, be used as a move piece on passing downs, and play Sam in base defense (3-4 looks). He’s likely essential personnel, but he just hasn’t crossed the 350 snap threshold.

Simmons, Lole, and Burke have earned more and more time. Norton has five games with 10 or more snaps and three games with a single-digit number of plays.

Looking elsewhere

The dividing line between major contributors and depth is at the 150 snap line

• S Andrew Mukuba – 278
• S Jelani McDonald – 213
• LB David Gbenda – 211
• LB Liona Lefau – 199
• CB Gavin Holmes – 167

Everyone on this list save for Holmes has started a game this season, and even so Holmes has played in all eight games. Morice Blackwell Jr. should be considered on the fringe with his 121 snaps.

Under 100

Here are the players who have not yet played 100 defensive snaps.

S Derek Williams

• Injury is the culprit here.

EDGE Justice Finkley

• Moore and Simmons have stepped into the top two spots at Buck, while Sorrell and Burke have Jack locked up.

CB Kobe Black

• Black made nice plays versus Vanderbilt, his first action in a game that wasn’t a blowout. In the lobsided games, he saw at least 10 snaps.

S Jordon Johnson-Rubell

• Played well when the safety room was dinged up earlier in the season, and might be looked at for more contributions with Williams out and Mukuba on the mend.

DT Alex January

• Texas has used him in every game save for Georgia as a means to get his feet wet for extended action in the coming years.

EDGE Colton Vasek

• Appears to be a situational pass-rusher at this juncture but action has occurred when games were in question.

LB Ty’Anthony Smith

• Bright future and has made impacts during his brief appearances.

DT Tiaoalii Savea

• Appears to be depth at this point, like all the players listed below (with some injury exceptions).

CB Jay’Vion Cole

S Xavier Filsaime

DT Sydir Mitchell

CB Warren Roberson

CB Wardell Mack

DT Jaray Bledsoe

DT Aaron Bryant

LB Derion Gullette

LB Tausili Akana

EDGE Zina Umeozulu

The choices have worked

Texas is in the top 10 in the following defensive categories:

• Total Defense – No. 1
• Passing Yards Allowed – No. 3
• Team Passing Efficiency Defense – No. 2
• Scoring Defense – No. 2
• Third Down Conversion Percentage Defense – No. 8
• First Downs Defense – No. 5

Advanced stats like Defensive FEI have the Longhorns ranked No. 1, so it isn’t just the conventional numbers that indicate the Longhorns have played fantastic defense.

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Much of the stellar performances can be attributed to savvy participation choices and quality play from the players in their opportunities.