Skinny on 'Horns D

[Favpack]

UT's defensive squad for 2007.

Give it up. Who's starting? Where is the hottest competition for a starting spot? What happens when Sergio comes back?

And, of course - how will they do?

[ktchamp97]

Most likely starting 11
DE - Brian Orakpo
DT - Frank Okam
DT - Derek Lokey
DE - Aaron Lewis
OLB - Robert Killebrew
MLB - Rashad Bobino
OLB - Scott Derry
CB - Brandon Foster
CB - Ryan Palmer
SS - Marcus Griffin
FS - Erick Jackson

The front four should be outstanding. The return of Derek Lokey is absolutely huge because he is a disruptor alongside Okam, who will draw lots of double-teams. Orakpo has off-the-charts potential and he's poised for a breakout year. Off the bench, we'll bring in Roy Miller at DT, who's a proven talent, and look for Eddie Jones and Lamarr Houston to see plenty of snaps at DE. Jones could work his way into a starting spot.

As for the LB's, the trio of Bobino, Kill, and Derry isn't what I thought we'd run out there, but that's what it's going to be. Derry is solid and Bobino is a vocal leader, but this group was practically non-existent last year. Roddrick Muckleroy is probably the best playmaker we have, but the coaches love to go with experience over potential. Kindle's situation is well documented and I'm starting to wonder if he'll ever make a significant contribution at LB. Jared Norton is a guy who I think will have to be on the field quite a bit even if they have to work him in at OLB...he is a future star. Speaking of future stars, Keenan Robinson (PESH, true Fr.) has turned heads to the point where they may not be able to 'shirt him.

The secondary is where the real competition is. Foster and Palmer will likely be given the opening season starting nods based on their "experience"...they haven't actually played much, but they've been around longer. The thought of two 5'8" corners starting in a league with big, physical receivers is scary. At some point this season, guaranteed, Chykie Brown will lock down a starting spot and you can bet that Deon Beasley will take the other. The sooner the better. The only thing keeping them from starting right now is their youth. At safety, the real surprise is that Erick Jackson appears to have beaten out Drew Kelson for the starting spot next to Marcus Griffin. Injuries have really hampered Jackson's career at UT, but he's finally healthy...talent has never been a question. I expect Kelson to see plenty of action too.

I'm anxous to see how Larry MacDuff and Duane Akina choose to scheme. There's been talk that Chizik was extremely proud of his schemes and he wanted to stop the run at all costs (worked well in the SEC, not Big XII) without leaving his base set and without disguising coverages. MacDuff and Akina helped build Arizona's famed Desert Swarm defense and they're likely to have blitzes coming in from all over the place...we'll see how that works out.

It should be fun! I'm hoping we get a chance at the Big XII title game and anything beyond that is gravy. Depending on how things shake out this year, expectations for 2008 could be as high as ever.

[jtk1519]

champ got the starters right, but I don't expect things to look like that by the end of the season. Akina said he's been playing 12 DBs pretty equally in practice. I think only the safeties are secure. Palmer and Foster will probably start the season, but I suspect you may see one or both of them supplanted by Big XII play. Much the same for the LBs. I know Muck plays on the weakside now, but I wouldn't mind seeing he or Derry move to Kills spot so you could have Much, Bobino and Derry on the field at the same time. I think that would be the best three Texas could field early on.

[Favpack]

Excellent job guys. Let me say this as a UT Fan - I see no B12 Defensive POY jumping off the page there at me. Lots of potential, but no stars. Some of the upper-classmen have kind of not carried the Derrick Johnson, DB U torch too well of late.

Granted you don't replace DJ, Huff, Ross, etc. each and every year - but I fear a continued drop-off in this unit.

I'm really excited to watch Derrick Lokey break out. Let's hope he stays healthy.

[blueandpurple]

I don't think they will have trouble with TCU offense, but I still wouldn't take TCU offense lightly. Just because their QB is a first year starter is no reason to forget about Aaron Brown, Donald Massey, Marcus Brock, Ervin Dickerson, Matty Linder and Blake Schleuter.

[BDB]

orakpo, okam, killabrew, and bobino are the stars on the defense.

personally, i would say killabrew would be the best chance at POY.

[theTrutHurts]

I don't think Palmer and Foster are the answers at corner.

[jtk1519]

Excellent job guys. Let me say this as a UT Fan - I see no B12 Defensive POY jumping off the page there at me. Lots of potential, but no stars.

I disagree. Okam is one of the top defensive players in the nation who played all of last year injured. Orakpo is another. Named one of the top 10 DEs in the nation and a preseason All-American despite having started just one game in his career. A freshman 1st team All-American, defensive freshman of the year and All-Big XII for a guy that has spent the past two years behind Robison and Crowder.