We are Tommy ******* is days away from Texas football being back and it’s another Hot Take Tuesday. Today, I want to focus on the defense and the chaos they could create this season. Will Muschamp has been added as the “head coach of the defense” and the philosophy of his defense is clear: wreck havoc. They are going to play an aggressive style that will thrive on takeaways, sacks and TFLs. I expect it to lead to multiple defensive scores in 2026.
Texas is going to play a downhill, aggressive style of defense. They have the guys to do it, led by Colin Simmons. He’s forced his fair share of forced fumbles, including one against Arkansas that led to Texas’ lone defensive TD last year. This year, I expect his counterpart Lance Jackson to make his fair share of game changing plays on the QB. The pass rush will play its role but the difference in this take is in the LB core to me.
Rasheem Biles was the crown jewel of the defensive portal class and he comes in with big-play ability. He’s coming off a year where he racked up 4.5 sacks, 2 FFs, 2 INTs, 4 PDs and two defensive TDs by himself. I expect him to take at least one interception or fumble back to the house this season. Add in Ty’Anthony Smith, who had two INTs against Michigan and you have a duo that’ll absolutely have chances to get in the endzone this season.
Finally, this secondary is going to be a man-coverage, ball skills based unit. The cornerback trio of Bo Mascoe, Graceson Littleton and Kade Phillips all bring strong ball skills to the table. Jelani McDonald and Derek Williams Jr. both have shown big-play ability in the past. This unit will absolutely take the ball away and I could see a pick-six or two this season.
This Texas defense does have some minor questions. One of those, to me, is not: Will they create turnovers? That feels like a given for this team heading into this season, especially considering the approach. Simmons and Jackson are going to be encouraged to attack the passer. Biles and Smith are going to be ready to make big plays in coverage at LB. The secondary will be given the green light to attack and I believe it’ll benefit every player.
Texas is going to play a downhill, aggressive style of defense. They have the guys to do it, led by Colin Simmons. He’s forced his fair share of forced fumbles, including one against Arkansas that led to Texas’ lone defensive TD last year. This year, I expect his counterpart Lance Jackson to make his fair share of game changing plays on the QB. The pass rush will play its role but the difference in this take is in the LB core to me.
Rasheem Biles was the crown jewel of the defensive portal class and he comes in with big-play ability. He’s coming off a year where he racked up 4.5 sacks, 2 FFs, 2 INTs, 4 PDs and two defensive TDs by himself. I expect him to take at least one interception or fumble back to the house this season. Add in Ty’Anthony Smith, who had two INTs against Michigan and you have a duo that’ll absolutely have chances to get in the endzone this season.
Finally, this secondary is going to be a man-coverage, ball skills based unit. The cornerback trio of Bo Mascoe, Graceson Littleton and Kade Phillips all bring strong ball skills to the table. Jelani McDonald and Derek Williams Jr. both have shown big-play ability in the past. This unit will absolutely take the ball away and I could see a pick-six or two this season.
This Texas defense does have some minor questions. One of those, to me, is not: Will they create turnovers? That feels like a given for this team heading into this season, especially considering the approach. Simmons and Jackson are going to be encouraged to attack the passer. Biles and Smith are going to be ready to make big plays in coverage at LB. The secondary will be given the green light to attack and I believe it’ll benefit every player.
4 months ago
