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AUSTIN, Texas — Steve Sarkisian won’t know how the Texas interior defensive line measures up to the program’s last few groups until the No. 1 Longhorns meet No. 3 Ohio State in the Horseshoe on Aug. 30. Still, through six practices, Sarkisian knew enough to make a definitive statement about Kenny Baker’s unit. “We're deep,” Sarkisian said after the team's Aug. 5 practice. “That's probably the biggest thing I can say about that group right now. We're playing a lot of guys, which has been good.” Vernon Broughton and Alfred Collins were two of the first 71 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Along with losing two of the most prominent members of a Texas defense that was No. 3 in FBS in total defense (283.4 yards per game and 4.4 yards per play allowed), scoring defense (15.3 points per game allowed) in the red zone (62.9 percent conversion rate allowed), the expired eligibility of Jermayne Lole and Bill Norton put the Longhorns in a position in which the 94 snaps Alex January logged as a true freshman made him the team's most experienced returning tackle. Cole Brevard (Purdue), Hero Kanu (Ohio State) and Travis Shaw (North Carolina) joined the program out of the transfer portal during the winter window. Even with January and Melvin Hills III back with a year under their belts, and Myron Charles, Justus Terry and Josiah Sharma making up a strong signing class that was on campus for spring practice, Texas went back into the portal and snagged Lavon Johnson (Maryland) and Maraad Watson (Syracuse) heading into the summer. Ten defensive tackles occupying scholarships on the 2025 roster might seem like overkill. Regardless, Sarkisian wanted to ensure the Longhorns had enough depth to fortify the rotation through what will be a long season if Texas makes another deep run in the College Football Playoff. “When you look at our team, I think about January,” Sarkisian said. “As much as I'm thinking about Aug. 30, I'm thinking about this journey we're trying to go on.” While it might take a few games for Sarkisian, Baker and Pete Kwiatkowski to figure out an optimal rotation, a deep mix of tackles is something the Longhorns didn’t have in 2024. Collins (593 snaps) and Broughton (588) both logged more than 500 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Lole (469) and Norton (260) were the only other Texas tackles to play more than 100 snaps, with January’s snap total finishing a distant fifth among Longhorn interior defensive linemen. “Where we're at now, a lot of these guys probably would've been able to spell those guys more than we were able to last year,” Sarkisian said. “I think that's probably the difference. Some of those guys, if they were on our team last season, Vernon and Alfred might not have had to have played as many snaps as they did a year ago.” What that might look like when the dust settles on the 2025 season is a distribution of snaps similar to how the Texas defensive tackles operated in 2022. A group that eventually produced six NFL draft picks, including a first-rounder (Byron Murphy II in 2024) and two second-rounders (Collins in 2025 and T’Vondre Sweat in 2024), the defense’s top six tackles in Sarkisian's second season got enough snaps to be impactful during a 13-game campaign. Sweat’s 35.7 snaps played per game led the unit, followed by Keondre Coburn (31.9), Moro Ojomo (31.3), Murphy (30.2), Collins (21.6) and Broughton (20.3). When looking back at the snap totals within the tackle group in 2021, the Longhorns got more from Sweat (26.3 snaps per game in 2021) and Murphy (24.8), which helped Ojomo (35.9) and Coburn (32.4) maximize their time on the field. A deeper, more effective tip of the spear helped Texas finish 22nd nationally in yards per rushing attempt allowed (3.48) and 32nd in rushing yards per game allowed (125.7), a drastic turnaround from Kwiatkowski's forgettable debut (201.6 yards per game and 5.15 yards per attempt allowed). According to PFF’s snap totals from the 2024 season, Watson (37.9 snaps per game) logged the most playing time at his previous stop, followed by Brevard (34.7), Shaw (25.9), Johnson (20.5) and Kanu (7.8). Based on their season-long PFF grades, a rotation could help Texas get more consistent production from Watson and Brevard. No defensive tackle in the Sarkisian era has logged as much playing time in one season as Watson did as a true freshman in the ACC. A few fewer snaps per game could do for Watson what it did for Brevard, whose PFF grade improved from a 60.6 in 2023, when he played in 11 games for the Boilermakers and averaged 35.6 snaps per game, to a 75 last season (a PFF grade of 70 is considered above average). The competition for snaps will bleed into the regular season, which is fine with Sarkisian. If the master plan Sarkisian put into motion works, and the 2025 defensive tackle outlook rivals what happened in 2022, Baker's group should have a lot left in the tank when it matters most in December and January. “That's what my goal was coming into the season: Could we develop that room into where we can play a lot of players, a lot of people, so that over time, that wear and tear wouldn't take its toll on us?” Sarkisian said. “I think we've done that.” View full news story

I think this sentiment is short selling that we have a future number one overall pick in the NFL at QB which would be the first in modern Texas history

I think it would be extremely irresponsible if you don't go all in with Arch as Qb. We put an expiration date on a sophomore and junior QB who helped lead Texas to back to back final fours. If you're holding back bullets in your pistol, shotgun etc you need to understand college is a short shelf life and you should be all in, every time, every game, every year. If injuries come into play and a planned redshirt is next in Line do you forego the red shirt over the walk on? The answer is yes , you have Arch Manning.

Totally agree with this sentiment 👏🏿.

It has been said over and over that we have this 2 year window with Arch. It is said in a way that makes it sound like Arch is our whole team and we won’t be as good after he graduates. My premises is that the way we are recruiting Arch is only one cog in the wheel and we will continue to be every bit as dangerous after he graduates. Texas will be a team to be reckoned with for a long time to come.

Jam Miller was really good in blitz pick-up, which will be critical for T.Simpson as he develops. Not sure what R.Young brings there.

Jaylan Ford made several great plays today besides the pick. A couple of TFLs as well

He actually made several good plays

The idea of second guessing. Akina is worth immediately dismissing

I got you wrong. Sorry.

Vernon too

I don't see anyone planning on quitting after Arch... not sure the issue? All in now – and going forward til the wheels fall off lol! 🤘

Dia Bell has a chance to be just as good

I don't understand your premise.

I believe the key to winning big this season will be the running game. If the OL has improved run blocking, particularly between the tackles, this team can average around 200 rushing yards a game and 5+ yards a carry. I don't think that's unrealistic given the running backs in the room, assuming they get healthy and stay healthy. Two of the four teams that appeared in the Final Four last season did just that, Notre Dame and Penn State. A strong rushing attack will take a lot of pressure off of Manning to have to be 2018 Trevor Lawrence, 2019 Joe Burrow, 2020 Mac Jones, etc. He also doesn't have to be a game manager like 2009 Greg McElroy, 2011 AJ McCarron, or 2015 Jake Coker either. He just has to be somewhere in the middle. Keep the chains moving, take the deep shots when they're there, and most importantly, limit the turnovers. That's all they need to do with an improved punting situation and assuming the defense is as good or even better than last season. Until I see how this OL looks on gameday, my expectations for this season are tempered. I do agree that we will not see a Texas team as bad as 2010-2022 Texas for a long time. What Sark has built overall from the coaching staff to the roster along with the leadership above him (CDC, Hartzell to Davis transition, Eltife, boosters, etc.) Texas should continue to be a top 5 program in college football long after Sark's time at Texas is over.

Don’t get me wrong. I am excited for our boys and Arch to take the field. I also think we will have another successful year that could be so good that we take it all. Maybe we fall short again. My problem is I have seen the idea from some of the mods and many members of OTF that we have to go all in because Arch is our QB. I am not a fan of that mindset because I expect Texas to be a major player even after Arch leaves for the NFL. We have QBs lined up waiting for their chance who could be even better than Arch. This is not our last opportunity to win a title. Sark has built a F’ing monster and we will be a force for many years to come. You don’t believe that then go eat a corn dog with mayo. Believe, don’t doubt.

I was just coming to say Jaylan doing Jaylan things

With a brand new secondary coaching staff there is ample room for concern if that is your thing. Taffe is used to proving doubters wrong… no big deal. PK knows how to call adjustments when necessary and his backfield is loaded with talent. I think we will be fine.

Richard Young and Daniel Hill are ready to run. Jam is expected to fully recover and may be available later in the season. Ty Simpson will be able to toss it, but like every SEC team, will need a solid run game to compete for the CFP. The departure of Justice Haynes now looms large for the Tide.

I tend to agree with this, but Texas as a team could have 10 sacks against Ohio State, and one busted play defensively could undo all of that and cost you the game. Ask TreVeyon Henderson.

As August 30th is right around the corner, I feel like the nickel position is just becoming too much of an overthinking factor into our defense. No i’m not saying it’s not important as it could well be the most important position to play on this defense, I just feel people are too worried about it. Some are claiming Taffe isn’t ready for the challenge, but i say and believe he’s the best guy for it. He is most likely the undisputed leader of not just the defense but the whole team. There’s no one who wants it more than Taffe, so I don’t think adjusting to a new position is going to slow him or our defense down. Plus when our head coach is giving praise to a true freshman that is going to rotate heavily in to get some snaps behind Taffe, what is there to worry about? Lastly it’s hard to worry about any of that when Julian Sayin is going to be pressured by Collin Simmons and E-Burke all game lol.

Especially tough because Justice Haynes left for Michigan in the portal.

That's a tough one. Really good player.