The Texas Longhorns probably have the best secondary in the country

The use of the word ‘probably’ is an acknowledgement Texas hasn’t played a high level passing attack to truly test its secondary.

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Anyone can report the news of the day, at Inside Texas we try to tell you what’s going to happen before it happens. Terry Jospeh and Blake Gideon‘s secondary has the makings to be the best in the nation if it isn’t already.

Many of the Positional U’s, e.g., RBU and LBU, seem to be fixed in the minds of media and fans while DBU has been variable. Just this century, in the minds of many, DBU has changed hands between Texas, Alabama, LSU, and maybe Ohio State. But, it should be fixed like the others and DBU should be Texas.

This secondary has the makings of vintage DBU units. They track and smack. It’s a versatile, smart, high IQ group with experience. There’s also no weak link. You don’t see high-end talent at one position and dramatic disparities elsewhere.

It’s looking more and more like Texas can easily roll out five players who will ultimately get drafted. After that, they can play a couple of backups who will also be drafted.

Let’s take a look.

The Main Players

SR Jahdae Barron: He was always a corner but played Star (nickel) because the coaches liked his toughness and intelligence in addition to his coverage ability. He’ll be moving up draft boards after being poorly evaluated as a ‘nickel only’ player by the NFL this past year. 

SR Andrew Mukuba: The Clemson transfer didn’t start against Michigan but might have been the defensive MVP of that game. He returned to his starting position against UTSA and looked great once again. 

SR Gavin Holmes: Texas’ ‘third’ corner has NFL athleticism and coverage skills.

JR Michael Taaffe: The quarterback of the unit is somehow a back-handed compliment but he’s embraced his role while also showing off his very quick trigger in both coverage and playing the run. He’s flying to the ball faster than ever and will likely get drafted after his senior year. Taaffe does need to add 10 pounds given the way he plays.

JR Jaylon Guilbeau: Tied for second on the team with 16 tackles. His emergence this offseason plays a major role in this article. Guilbeau to Star has allowed Barron to star at corner.

[The four players listed above are all in the top-six of leading tacklers on the team and it’s not like those tackles are occurring way down field] 

SO Malik Muhammad: As a likely three-year player he probably has the highest draft upside out of any of the current five starters. He provides blanket coverage, ball skills, intelligence, and physicality. 

SO Derek Williams: Williams has the most physical and athletic upside of the safeties…well, save perhaps for…

SO Jelani McDonald: McDonald was out of yesterday’s contest with an undetermined ailment but his talent and length are unquestionable strengths. 

Sourced Info

Below is from our Friday Team Humidor (On3+) article. We received sourced info on why the secondary is the best we’ve seen it in a long time:

Leadership between Jahdae Barron and Michael Taaffe. Taaffe drives the boat and gets everyone in line but they gravitate to Jahdae. Taaffe is like the coach, Jahdae is the one creating handshakes. He’ll celebrate with you. There wasn’t really a clear leader last year despite having some respected guys.

The personnel are simply improved and experienced. It’s Year 4 in the program for the coaches and a couple players. The playbook has slowed down, it’s not their first year. Malik Muhammad was always a smart guy but now it’s Year 2 in the system. Derek Williams, Year 2. Jahdae, Year 4. Taaffe, Year 4. 

Johnny Nansen has helped a lot on run fits, marrying run fits and pass fits. They’re not running two separate defenses.

Stats Might Be For Losers But Will Muschamp Would Like These

Texas is allowing 136.7 yards passing in the first three contests. That’s an incredibly low number made all the more impressive by other teams averaging 29 attempts. That comes to an average of 4.71 yards per attempt. For reference, bad is 6-7 yards per attempt. (Keep that in mind for later in the article)

Combine this with the stat about leading tacklers above and you see this is an extremely active group that is dropping the receiver where he catches it.

Muhammad leads the team with three PBU’s. Mukuba, Barron, and Williams all have an interception. 

You know what would help their stat profile, playing a good passing team. Your guess is as good as mine as to when that will be.

Can anyone test Texas’ secondary before Georgia on October 19?

UL-M? Nope. 

Mississippi State? The Bulldogs have foundational issues but the passing game isn’t their main problem. Jeff Lebby’s issue is, passing the ball is about all they do well and Texas is good at taking away other teams’ strengths.

OU? Doubtful? Jackson Arnold hasn’t had the time or big-play receiving threat to stretch the field. He’s currently averaging 5.63 yards per attempt. Highly touted Purdue transfer, Deion Burks has 22 receptions on the year. That’s pretty good. For 7.7 yards per catch. That’s terrible. 

It also helps Texas’ cause that Nansen has already coached against an Arnold led OU offense.

Georgia on My Mind

Georgia certainly had its offensive struggles last night against Kentucky but the Bulldogs have the skill personnel to challenge Texas’ secondary.

On the flip side, if it’s not Texas, Georgia might also have the best secondary in the country. 

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It’s September 15th. I don’t think it will take long for the rest of the nation to realize Texas has the best secondary in the country. We’ll call it October 20th at the latest.