Position Rating: B-
Starters: Deon Beasley, Ryan Palmer
Reserves: Chykie Brown, Curtis Brown, Aaron Williams
If you’ve watched the last few NFL drafts you know the Longhorns have had a lot of talented cornerbacks in recent years, but if you watched games or looked at stats you’ll notice the Texas pass defense has been awful since the 2005 championship season. This year the position is as talented as ever, but hopefully with new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp it will translate to fewer big plays and fewer points on the scoreboard.
The two starting corners both saw significant playing time last season. Senior [tag]Ryan Palmer[/tag] is by far the most experienced player in the Texas secondary. Palmer started every game last year and led the team in pass break-ups while also recording 80 tackles. He is a little undersized but makes up for it with speed and confidence. Palmer might not be the playmaker some of the younger guys are but coaches will be looking to him to provide consistency and leadership in the young defensive backfield.
At the other corner is [tag]Deon Beasley[/tag]. 2008 will be his first as a starter but the junior saw significant snaps last year as the team’s nickelback and in a couple of spot starts. He picked off three passes last year and with more time on the field this season should create even more turnovers for the Texas D. Lean and athletic Beasley has already shown flashes that he could be the team’s next great corner.
The guys behind the top two should also see a lot of the field as the defense should play a lot of nickel against the many spread offenses they’ll face this season. Sophomores [tag]Chykie Brown[/tag] and [tag]Curtis Brown[/tag] (no relation) are both gifted players that stand over six feet tall. Chykie has performed so well in spring and fall practices that on the first depth chart of the year he was actually listed as a co-starter with Beasley.
Behind them is true freshman [tag]Aaron Williams[/tag] who has come in and immediately impressed. Currently listed as the fifth corner there was buzz in the last two weeks that his incredible talent already had him passing some of the more experienced players ahead of him. Look out for him as the season goes on to get more and more playing time.
Cornerback is full of speed and talented depth, but that has been true before and hasn’t resulted in good defense. There are more playmakers in the group than in recent seasons and if the front seven can pressure the quarterback we could see a lot more turnovers created this year. With the big time passing offenses in the Big 12 this group will be tested early and often, but an improved performance will mean a vastly improved defense. We’ll find out soon what Palmer, Beasley, and company are capable of.
reply to #1
Joe
September 1st, 2008 at 7:12 am
Would like to know the status of those who have been given an offer by Texas: McFarlan, Kennard etc…Is Shepherd re-thinking about his committement to LSU and probably joining the horns? Also, why Randall Dent out of Dallas has not been offer by Texas.
reply to #2
Brian
September 1st, 2008 at 8:11 am
@Joe: Super quick word on each topic…
McFarland – We lead and coaches feel confident but this is far from over. LSU is a player and watch out for OU.
Kennard – He’s going to take all five of his visits this fall and we’ve got just as good of a chance as anybody. USC is definitely the team to beat.
Shepard – There’s regular rumors about Shepard opening things back up but that may just be wishful thinking by Texas fans. He’s definitely not “probably joining the Horns” but it’s not over yet.
Dent – Mack Brown and the coaches got the three defensive ends they wanted and they’re holding a spot for Kennard. There just isn’t room for Dent. With 85 scholarships you can’t take every player you want.
reply to #3
Joe
September 1st, 2008 at 10:49 am
Brian, thanks for the information. I do hope within the next couple of years Texas will be respected by the media. I am constantly on the look out for good positive news from ESPN and FOX. But, I always end up with disappointment with ESPN and FOX not posting the wins and the talent that these new players bring to Texas They are quick to jump on the band wagon on news like Lamar Houston and the DWI and posted quickly. I would like to see more balance reporting from these folks on the good things that Texas does.
Your new webpages are GREAT! and very detail and informative to your customers and readers…great JOB BEVO!