The 2012 Texas Longhorns Football Roster Is Out: Defense

Time to tackle the Texas defense. We're knee deep in ballers.

This group could be as special as the 2009 unit if less experienced guys come through as expected and our known quantities continue at, or raise, their level of play.

Typical height, weight caveats apply.

Let's go by position grouping. I bolded starters.

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DEFENSE

Defensive End

Jeffcoat at 245 is mildly concerning, even though power isn't his game. I'm a little worried that he hasn't had a chance to add good weight and strength after offseason surgery. Hassan Ridgeway at 280 effectively ends the "Will he ever be a interior DL?" debates. Probably. Unless he never gains another pound. He's a monster. Wilson is up to 259 and Reed is back down to 250. Cedric is still trying to figure out his optimal frame. Shiro already at 236 is good news.

Defensive Tackle

Why bold five at a two starter position? Because we're going to crowd source this thing. Malcom Brown is 6-4? Hmmm, whatever you say, big fella. You just keep that weight down. Don't go Bible on us. Mack Brown tailback of the future Chris Whaley is a now a QB pursuit terror at 292 pounds. Good to see big Brandon Moore shed some pounds. He was 20+ north of that. Good to see Dorsey and Jackson right around 300. I don't want them blowing up.

Linebacker

I'd be lying if I said Edmond wasn't the first weight I checked. 255. Phew. Santos at 250 evokes a similar response. Jinkens has already added 20 pounds since we saw him last in high school. I like this group, but the sophomores need to show me something.

Defensive Back

Lord Byndom is still a greyhound's 180, Quandre continues to list himself at an amusing and hopeful 5-10, it remains to be seen how Phillips has recovered from his injuries, and Kenny Vaccaro is a massive 218. I promise you: the NFL GMs and scouts are going to shit when they realize that a 220 pound athlete is manning up on and erasing slot receivers, turning his hips like a 185 pounder, while also punishing in run support. Duke Thomas - future stud - is filling out nicely and Bryson Echols needs a little college S&C. Colbert, Evans, and Thompson all have ideal frames and the requisite athletic ability - just give them some time to grow up. Josh Turner seems a bit of a hard-gainer, cut from the Curtis Brown cloth.

The battle for 5th and 6th DB between four or five legit candidates should be a pleasure to watch unfold.

Final Word

The weights I wanted down were and the weights needed up have started their journey. My impressions post-Spring are unchanged. We're a tad thin at DE, but it's being overdone; LB should be just fine, particularly over the second half of the season; DT is much better than the layperson believes and is a major depth strength. The secondary is probably going to be special.