Offseason competition in focus: Texas defensive tackles in 2024
Normally competitions are between two players at one position but given the influx of transfers at both defensive tackle and wide receiver, we’re seeing position-wide competition between the transfers and holdovers. If the competition isn’t for a first-team position, it’s for a second-team spot.
Today we’ll discuss defensive tackle, where, frankly, I’m not sure the coaches even know how things will play out from a fit and rotation standpoint.
Exact positions and rotations will be determined in August and probably refined into September. There are a lot of bodies, differing body types, differing traits, etc., for the staff to mix and match. E.g., Vernon Broughton and Aaron Bryant play the same position but couldn’t be more different as players.
Leadership in the room
We’ll start with a note on leadership. Alfred Collins and Broughton are essentially co-leaders. That stands to reason since they’ve been here the longest. Per a source, neither are big talkers but they do a good enough job of keeping players on the right track.
Internal questions and thoughts
When discussing this room with a source he said the main question is; are the two new transfers who the coaches think they are? If so, this room will be good, though still not great.
IT has mentioned on several occasions the internal belief is the room will be just fine. This doesn’t really apply on the internet, especially to sports fans, but there is a lot of room between elite and terrible.
The interior defensive line should be good enough, even in the SEC.
Likely first five have a lot of experience
Throughout the spring the first two defensive tackles were Collins and Broughton. That’s expected to continue, though, Bill Norton and Jermayne Lole have been added since the spring. Before that, Norton’s old teammate at Arizona, Tia Savea, was added to the competition. Those will likely be the first five, at least before the first game in late August vs Colorado State.
All five are seniors and I feel this is a very underrated aspect of the position.
How the “first five” fit
PK likes to put his best run-stopper in the path of the ball. The position his best run-stopper plays depends on whether he can rush the passer, in which case he plays 3-technique, or not (in which case he probably plays nose).
Collins can play nose tackle or defensive tackle. Though D-tackle is his best fit, it requires that Broughton be able to hold up as the nose if that’s his tandem partner. Collins can also play defensive end in base, but I doubt that continues this season given the need for him inside. Yes, sources are bullish on him having a big year. He didn’t come back to be drafted in the same spot he would have been last year. By the middle of camp, I should be able to gauge how good of a season he’ll have.
Broughton can play either position. As a run-stopper, his anchor improved last year. He has a great first step and is fast in pursuit. If he takes another step against the run he’s going to be good this year. Like he did last year, I think we’ll still see him at end when the team is in its base front. Paired next to Collins, that’s pretty formidable.
Norton is a nose tackle, pure and simple. He could eventually start alongside Collins to give Texas 660 pounds of interior defense. Expect him to be paired with a lighter D-tackle early on, like transfers Lole and Savea. Lole has played both interior spots in team defense drills, but he focused on 3-technique at Louisville. He could probably fit at nose if paired with a strong 3-tech like Collins. Savea appears well suited to play end in base, or defensive tackle.
If it plays out like this you’d have: DT Alfred Collins, Jermayne Lole, Tia Savea / NT Bill Norton, Vernon Broughton.
Pushing for playing time
Of course we have plenty of other players to discuss.
Aaron Bryant is a run-stopper who fits at nose tackle. He’s ready to play this year. He was ready to play last year in limited snaps. Solid player. I could have perhaps included him in the first six.
Jaray Bledsoe didn’t have the ‘light bulb’ spring practice bloc everyone was hoping for. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen in August. We’ll have to wait and see. He’s a defensive tackle or defensive end.
Sydir Mitchell is still a work in progress. Hopefully he can push for playing time at nose tackle because he has immense upside. Fortunately the staff was able to land Norton while Mitchell figures it out.
Alex January is a defensive tackle with real upside. He could play nose tackle, too. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him work his way on to the field over the course of the season.
Melvin Hills is a freshman defensive tackle or defensive end who just arrived in May.
*****
Pete Kwiatkowski and Kenny Baker have a lot of options to work with. The five older, experienced players will find themselves in rotation. Bryant and Bledsoe should push for playing time this August. Mitchell remains an outlier. He has the most upside at nose tackle on the roster but how many snaps can he offer?
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