Examining Texas’ edge rusher outlook for 2024
Outsiders project a bleak outlook for the Texas football team in 2024. The effort to overstate how much the Longhorns will lose is not only pathetic but inaccurate.
Texas is going to lose several great players. That’s undeniable. The Longhorns are set to lose their four top pass catchers in Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jordan Whittington.
The team will also lose two elite college defensive tackles in Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat along with crucial contributing linebacker Jaylan Ford and nickelback Jahdae Barron.
Edge rusher will be more kind to Texas over the 2024 offseason. The returning talent alone is enough to get excited about for the coaching staff. The Longhorns should return edge rushers Barryn Sorrell and Ethan Burke barring a surprise. Sorrell could leave for the NFL draft, but that would not project to be a wise decision. Both have a 5-plus sack season under their belt.
The returning depth at the position is strong. Justice Finkley has made plays in limited opportunities. We haven’t yet seen what first-year edges Colton Vasek and Tausili Akana can do. What Texas adds will bring more intrigue and excitement in regard to what the Longhorns can produce at edge.
Five-star freshman Colin Simmons and four-star Zina Umeozulu are set to join the position group adding more individual talent. Simmons, like 2023 freshmen Anthony Hill, Malik Muhammad, Derek Williams, Cedric Baxter Jr. and Johntay Cook, may be a significant contributor from the start.
Edge rush should be a strength for the Texas defense in 2024. It could bode favorably for the team against lesser pass protectors.
