As it searches for replacements on the defensive line, Texas also breaks in a new coach

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Throughout the rest of this spring and summer, questions will continue to be asked about the interior of Texas’ defensive line.

That’ll happen when you lose players like T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II. Last season, Sweat was a unanimous All-American and won the Outland Trophy as college football’s top interior lineman and also was named the Big 12’s defensive player of the year. And Murphy was the Big 12’s defensive lineman of the year. Both hope to hear their names called early in the NFL draft at the end of this month.

But it wasn’t just the 6-foot-1, 308-pound Murphy and the 6-4, 362-pound Sweat who left massive holes on the Longhorns’ line. That position group also lost its coach this offseason when Bo Davis left to coach the defensive linemen at LSU.

Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins applies pressure on Houston quarterback Donovan Smith during their Oct. 21 game at Houston. With the departure of T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II, Collins is being asked to take on a bigger role this coming season for the Longhorns.

To replace Davis, Texas hired Kenny Baker in January. Texas’ practices this spring have allowed the Longhorns to get acquainted with their new assistant coach.

“I think they’re responding really well to him,” UT head coach Steve Sarkisian said Tuesday. “One thing Kenny provides is a ton of energy, a ton of juice.”

Texas defensive linemen have a new coach

Baker has big shoes to fill. Under Davis, Sweat enjoyed a breakout season and Murphy developed into a potential first-round pick. Texas had two defensive linemen — Keondre Coburn and Moro Ojomo — selected in the 2023 draft. Before Davis arrived in 2021, Oscar Giles coached UT’s defensive linemen, and Poona Ford, Charles Omenihu and Malcolm Roach all received multiple contracts in the NFL.

Baker, 37, worked with the Miami Dolphins during the…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/searches-replacements-defensive-line-texas-203051374.html

Author : Austin American-Statesman

Publish date : 2024-04-02 20:30:51

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