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Strong defensive units contribute to Pro Football Focus issuing Texas the No. 2 spot in its power rankings

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•06/19/24•

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om - 2023-09-17T180929.144
Gavin Holmes (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

The strength of the Longhorns, at least in the eyes of Pro Football Focus, was reflected in the outlet labeling Texas as the No. 2 team in its preseason power rankings. Many top-flight offensive units, specifically at quarterback, offensive line, and in the pass-catcher corps, made significant contributions to Steve Sarkisian‘s program earning second-from-the-top billing from PFF.

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The defense was not without its contributions. Texas boasted top-10 units in two of the three defensive categories. The Longhorn defensive line was called the No. 8 position group in the nation while the secondary was just ahead at No. 6.

Longhorn linebackers were snubbed from the ranking.

Here’s how Texas earned a No. 2 power ranking thanks in large part to two different strong defensive position groups.

Defensive line: No. 8

Texas DE Ethan Burke
(Troy Taormina | USA TODAY Sports)

Last year the Longhorn defensive tackle duo of T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy posted the highest PFF defensive grades at their position. Sweat logged a defensive grade of 91.7 while Murphy was just behind him at 91.1. Those two are off to the NFL, but PFF has confidence in their replacements at DT and in the developing players at EDGE.

Barryn Sorrell, Ethan Burke, Trey Moore, and Colin Simmons all earned mention as players who, alongside defensive tackles Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton, Bill Norton, Tia Savea, and Jermayne Lole, should give the Longhorn defensive front another force most teams will have to gameplan for.

The list
8. Texas
7. Penn State
6. Notre Dame
5. Ole Miss
4. Georgia
3. Miami (Fla.)
2. Michigan
1. Ohio State

Secondary: No. 6

Malik Muhammad
Malik Muhammad (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Even though the author of the piece only viewed Texas as having the No. 6 secondary, PFF’s grades think highly of three members of the Longhorn defensive back room expected to make a significant impact this season.

Jay’vion Cole, a transfer from San Jose State, steps in for transfer Terrance Brooks. Gavin Holmes and Malik Muhammad shore up the rest of the cornerback corps. The veteran experience of fifth-year do-it-all DB Jahdae Barron was also highlighted.

PFF noted the addition of Andrew Mukuba, who according to PFF logged a yards allowed per coverage snap of 0.46, good for 7th among Power Five corners in 2023.

The list
6. Texas
5. Oregon
4. Michigan
3. Notre Dame
2. Iowa
1.Ohio State

Snubbed: Linebackers

Anthony Hill, David Gbenda
Anthony Hill and David Gbenda ( Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Anthony Hill Jr., David Gbenda, Liona Lefau, and Morice Blackwell Jr. earned no love from PFF. There’s some justification as none of those players graded higher than 68.8 on defense last season according to PFF, a mark set by Gbenda.

After the departure of Jaylan Ford, there is plenty for Texas’ linebackers to prove in 2024 but they’ll have the presence of two other top-10 defensive units there to help them ascend.

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The list
5. LSU
4. Georgia
3. Kentucky
2. Iowa
1. Clemson

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