Deep Dive: The Longhorn Defensive Tackle Dilemma 

Fantastic discussion, guys. DT obviously is the headline grabber. Still disconcerting that--for all the good that Sark has done (and that's not said lightly)--we've repeatedly been more on the outside looking in when it comes to this vital position. Would be wonderful if the "grow your own" tack expressed by Paul comes to fruition: enough to help us get thru some more rough patches likely to come. Thanks again! "SlickStreet"

I think that was the approach Bo tried here initially with middling results: David Abiara, Jordon Thomas, Kriss Ross, Zac Swanson & Jaray Bledsoe. Still have hope that Bledsoe emerges as a front line player, but the rest have already portaled out.

Outstanding and informative take. This is why our struggles of late at the position might not be as devastating as many of us fear.

If Florida fires Billy Napier and hires Oregon coach Dan Lanning, Texas might have a chance to get Sharma at DL.

Love the analysis by both of your football brains!

Maybe Texas can re-evaluate and recruit high school senior DL prospects this fall.

I don’t understand why can’t Texas evaluate O-line recruits in high schools that are big elite athletes but are under recruited because they lack ideal height or weight but are really good football players. I look at DT recruiting in Texas and yearly there seems to be less and less decent options and colleges go out state to find some perfect prospects that are going to be coveted by everyone. Maybe Texas should evaluate more o-line athletes because they have similar traits as DTs like strength, quickness, hand placement, leverage, intelligence, footwork, and athletic ability that are needed on both sides of the ball. There are many high school big elite talent in Texas that would love to play football at Texas but aren’t given a chance if Texas would evaluate them more as a DT prospect that can take double and triple team blocks and be huge bully type players in the middle of the defense, not always as concerned about their pass rushing abilities. Texas just needs to rethink what they really need instead of always trying to find the perfect unicorn Defensive tackles go get some big bully big humans that are just really good football players that want to play at Texas.

Paul and Ian with the common sense takes. Keep it up!! 🤘

Bledsoe missed his senior year. Gotta factor that in on timing.

The best! Need Ian on EGOT more

Very few DTs are field ready they take development

What’s going on at the high school level in Texas that we’re not producing enough elite talent at the DT position? It’s coaching? Is it the schemes? What is it that Louisiana, Georgia, Florida etc,is going that Texas isn’t? It doesn’t make sense that a state as big as Texas with the resources that a lot of high school football programs have is that UT, A&M or whoever should have to go outside constantly like we have over the past decade.

Very interesting stuff guys. Rich watching himself with Sweat's 40 overlaid was hilarious.

This strategy will likely be difficult in the age of unlimited transfer portal. There's a good chance the Whaleys and Lamar Houstons of the world don't accept the requested position change and portal out to pursue their preferred position. You probably have to present the plan prior to commitment, which will likely be a tough sell - moreso for edges and TEs than big RBs

Paul-when are you releasing the 2024 Longhorn Football Prospectus? I can’t find this info anywhere. Give us an update!

Do you think Jackson is gonna add enough weight to play the 3?

EGAT

Oklahoma sure is looking good at dt.. and in recurring as well

Info at a discount right now on account of it all being dog water. Just guesses.