Ranking the eight most dominant Longhorns for the 2023 season
The Texas Longhorns are going to dominate opposition at times in 2023. They have the personnel to get it done. Several physical and experienced players return for the Longhorns with a couple of significant portal additions.
Defensive tackle has been a strength for the team in recent seasons. Despite losing Keondre Coburn and Moro Ojomo to the NFL draft, the same should be true for the Longhorns this season. Byron Murphy, T’Vondre Sweat, Alfred Collins and Minnesota transfer Trill Carter make for a solid two-deep rotation up front.
Many view the Texas offensive line as one that cannot get a push. That isn’t necessarily the case. Certainly, the team’s most physically imposing players are simply on the outside at offensive tackles. The interior linemen are more technically savvy players.
Players on the outside can dominate, too. Texas saw that firsthand with Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson at receiver in 2018.
Here’s a look at eight Texas players who should be able to impose their will on opponents this season.
Ryan Watts
Our hearts go out to any receiver trying to run a route against Ryan Watts. The big, physical corner should continue to make life difficult on receivers this season. His high football IQ is an added bonus.
Alfred Collins
Alfred Collins has been said to have emerged as a high impact contributor over the spring. After finally starting to meet defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s strength and size requirements, Collins’ five-star athleticism should be on full display.
Christian Jones
Christian Jones might be a right tackle, but he’s also a bulldozer. Though he excelled in pass protection last season, the super-senior’s trademark skill has been getting a push in the running game. He should be able to “finish blocks” in pass protection this season as well.
T'Vondre Sweat
T’Vondre Sweat is an NFL talent. At his best, he dominated Alabama and Oklahoma offensive lines last season on money downs. If Sweat can bring that intensity on every play, you’re looking at a first-team all-conference caliber player.
Kelvin Banks
Kelvin Banks was a wrecking ball in the running game in high school. That’s perhaps the next skill he develops after becoming the top pass blocker in the Big 12 last season. The ability is there. As Banks grows into the college game, he should bring solid returns to the pancake factory in Austin.
Byron Murphy
Byron Murphy has shown flashes through two seasons in Austin. He should get more snaps than in the past to showcase his ability. From spring practice reports, it doesn’t seem that Murphy can be blocked by Texas interior linemen. That could be a reflection on how much stronger Longhorns guards need to get, but it could also mean a breakout season for the big tackle.
Ja'Tavion Sanders
We’re working with the assumption that Big 12 linebackers won’t be able to keep up with Sanders. Those that can are probably too small to match Ja’Tavion’s physicality. That’s the dilemma safeties will face when battling Sanders for a jump ball or trying to reroute the elite tight end in coverage. The Texas offense is the only thing that can stop him this season.
AD Mitchell
Am I really calling a wide receiver Texas’ most physically dominant player? Relative to who he’ll line up against, he has a strong case. Mitchell won’t be lining up against safeties-turned-cornerbacks from Ohio State. He’ll be playing in a league that takes undersized former track stars and repurposes them into football players. That might to some degree combat Xavier Worthy’s speed downfield, but doesn’t bode well in coverage against the Big 12’s most complete receiver. For lack of better phrasing, if healthy, Mitchell is going to feast.
