Big 12 Football - 2021 Texas Longhorns Preview
Our Texas Longhorns preview 2021 has this team battling for the third spot in the conference. However, we’ve picked the Longhorns to finish fourth based on some question marks on defense and the departure of star quarterback Sam Ehlinger. We’re not discounting the quality of this Longhorn team, which has made four bowl appearances in the last four years, winning each one. Last season, Texas was 5-3 in Big 12 play, finishing fourth. Their overall record came to 7-3. On offense, they were second in the conference in scoring and passing and fifth in rushing. Defensively, the Longhorns ranked second against the rush and in total yards allowed. However, they were sixth in defensive scoring and ninth in passing D, while ranking 108th nationally in that last category.
Texas Offense
Junior quarterback Casey Thompson replaces Ehrlinger. Last season in the Alamo Bowl, Thompson replaced an injured Ehrlinger and looked impressive, as he completed 8-of-10 passes with four going for touchdowns. He may start. However, Thompson has competition from dual-threat, freshman Hudson Card. Whoever ends up calling the signals, they will have an experienced and skilled group of receivers that includes last season’s top pass catcher Joshua Moore. Moore had 30 receptions for 472 yards and nine TDs. He averaged 15.7 YPC. Last season, those numbers were best on the team for receivers with 10 of more catches.
The ground game offers a fine tandem led by sophomore Bijan Robinson who’s followed by junior Roschon Johnson. In 2020, Robinson posted 86 carries as he rushed for 703 yards, averaging 8.2 YPA and scoring four times. Johnson, who ran 80 times for 418 yards, averaged 5.2 YPA while scoring six touchdowns. The O-line sees just about every starter return, including three tight ends. They’ll be a huge benefit to both the passing and ground games.
Texas Longhorns Preview 2021 - Defense
The frontline includes sophomore tackle Alfred Collins. Collins was impressive last season breaking up three passes, gabbing a pick, and recording 1.5 sacks while registering 23 tackles. He looks to be a massive force in 2021. Graduate transfers Ray Thornton (LSU) and Ovie Oghoufo (Notre Dame) give a boost to the Jack position. Those additions will be important especially because the team’s top tackler, Juwan Mitchell, transferred to Tennessee. Mitchell recorded 62 tackles and 4.5 TFL. WLB DeMarvion Overshown, who was good for 60 tackles, seven TFL, seven PBU, and two picks, last season, will anchor the LB group.
The secondary sees a lot of experienced talent return, including senior corners D’Shawn Jamison and Josh Thompson. Although the top two safety spots are manned by seniors B.J. Foster and Brendan Shooter, neither started last season.
Specialists
The Longhorn special teams are the best in the Big 12. D’Shawn Jamison leads both return teams. Jamison, who last season had a 100-yard kick return against West Virginia for a TD, is always a threat to score. Our Texas Longhorns preview 2021 observes that placekicker Cameron Dicker, a two-time All-Big 12 selection, offers reliability and range. Last season, he hit a 53-yard field goal. In a pinch, he can also punt. However, expect to see Ryan Bujcevski in that role. The senior missed the last three games of the 2020 season due to an ACL injury he sustained while trying to make a tackle in the West Virginia game. He’s healthy and back.
Texas Longhorns Preview 2021 - Projection
Our Texas Longhorns preview 2021 notes that Steve Sarkisian replaces Tom Herman as head coach. Sarkisian, who helped Alabama win the national title last year, has hired a talented group of assistants all of whom have been on coaching staffs that have either won a national championship or made it to the College Football Playoff. Players have taken to his transparent and straightforward style, which is very different than the culture of fear that Herman created. Will ii yield results? We’ll find out this season.
Big 12 Football - Texas Longhorns 2021 - Predictions:
Fourth Place - Big 12
Texas Bowl vs. Arkansas