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Texas ready to unleash a three-headed monster in the secondary next season

Posted on by angelo

Despite putting together one of the program’s best seasons in recent memory, the Texas Longhorns received heavy criticism last year for the secondary’s top-to-bottom performance.

Arguably the worst-performing unit on what was a full slate, Texas’ secondary gave up the fifth-most passing yards per game in the Big 12 (240.8) despite the defense as a whole allowed the fewest rushing yards (80.8) and points per game. (17.5) in the Big 12.

However, things appear to be changing as Texas heads to the SEC.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Longhorns have three of the SEC’s 10 highest-rated returning cornerbacks heading into next year, one of which was added to the roster this offseason. Texas transfer cornerback Jay’Vion Cole received the highest grade among returning SEC CBs with an 86.2 after impressive campaigns at Cal Poly and San Jose State over the two last years. Not far behind him were Gavin Holmes and Malik Muhammad of Texas, finishing fifth (78.6) and sixth (78.5), respectively.

Here is an overview of the full list of qualities:

Last season at San Jose State, Cole had 38 total tackles, one sack, 10 passes defensed and three interceptions. In 2022 at Cal Poly, he had 15 total tackles, four passes defended and four picks. Seven interceptions in two seasons is remarkable, regardless of conference.

Entering last year with major freshman hype, Muhammad had some impressive flashes en route to the College Football Playoff. He finished with 32 total tackles, four passes defensed, one pick and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in the loss to Oklahoma.

As for Holmes, transferring to Wake Forest last offseason, it was a quiet season statistically — 15 total tackles, two passes defensed — but his grade speaks for itself. Heading into his fifth collegiate season, Holmes’ veteran experience could prove invaluable to Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense.

If this trio can live up to their PFF grades, it’s unclear what kind of heights the Texas defense can reach next season.