Four ways the Texas defense can improve in 2022
Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is hoping to lead a better defense after a frustrating first year.
Kwiatkowski enjoyed great success as a player and coach at Boise State, followed by a terrific run as defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies. For whatever reason, he couldn’t put it together at Texas last season.
His defensive unit finished 100th in the NCAA in total defense. Only Kansas (126) and TCU (119) were worse in the Big 12 by the numbers. The Longhorns defense allowed an average of 425.6 yards per game and 6.03 yards per play.
Texas failed to reel in an impact edge rusher from the portal this offseason and will need to look internally for pass rushing solutions.
Here are four ways Texas can improve from its defensive performance last season.
Know Your Personnel
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Texas defensive coordinators have a penchant for not knowing where to put players on the field in their first season. Todd Orlando famously moved Malcolm Roach and Breckyn Hager to linebacker over his first two seasons.
Pete Kwiatkowski kept the tradition going, assigning two of his best players, Anthony Cook and Alfred Collins, to limited situational roles. Improved knowledge of his personnel will hopefully yield bigger roles for Collins, Cook and Byron Murphy this season.
No Fly Zone
Gary Patterson can coach a secondary. The 2019 matchup between Texas and TCU comes to mind, where Patterson’s defense held Sam Ehlinger to this stat line: 22 completions and four interceptions on 48 attempts. Patterson’s safety net of coverage simply left nowhere for Ehlinger to throw.
Texas could stand to utilize his coverage acumen to stop opposing passing attacks. Texas added Ohio State cornerback Ryan Watts to the fold. Additionally, the move of Kitan Crawford to safety could make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
Breakout Linebacker Play
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Jaylon Ford is primed for a breakout season for the Longhorns in 2022. The redshirt sophomore linebacker finished with 53 total tackles in limited play last season. Ford flashed potential, displaying excellent instincts and playmaking ability. Alongside DeMarvion Overshown and David Gbenda, Ford could greatly improve the Texas linebacking corps.
Three-Man Fronts
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Rightfully, you’re asking where Texas will find a pass rush. The likelihood is they will not find a pass rush. Barring rapid development of freshman star Justice Finkley or improved edge setting by Ovie Oghoufo, Texas may be better served to play an extra linebacker or defensive back.
While three-man fronts will not bring the desired pressure to opposing quarterbacks, they are effective in stopping the run. Iowa State and Baylor have successfully deployed three-man fronts in recent years. Texas’ personnel lends itself to effectively running a 3-3-5 defense.
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