Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning have guided the Texas Longhorns to their first 6-0 start since 2009, with the College Football Playoff National Championship in their sights. But the offense hasn’t been the only unit playing at an elite level. From overlooked to overwhelming, Texas’ defense has become arguably the best in the nation in 2024.
How Texas Has Dominated Defensively in 2024
The 2024 NFL Draft was historic for Texas, as it had double-digit players selected in the same cycle for the first time in four decades (1984). In fact, all 11 Longhorns who were invited to the 2024 NFL Combine heard their names called in the first six rounds of the draft.
Although the offense saw the most selections, the defense lost four starters: DTs Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat, LB Jaylan Ford, and CB Ryan Watts. Then, five more contributors departed via the transfer portal: CB Terrance Brooks (Illinois), S Jalen Catalon (UNLV), S Kitan Crawford (Nevada), S Jerrin Thompson (Auburn), and DL Trill Carter (Auburn).
That’s quite the outgoing contingent, leaving Steve Sarkisian and Co. to rely heavily on their first- and second-year players as well as a handful of transfers. Headlining the incoming group were Clemson S Andrew Mukuba and UTSA EDGE Trey Moore, as both reached impressive heights with their previous programs.
And although fellow transfers DT Jermayne Lole (Louisville), DT Bill Norton (Georgia), DT Tiaoalii Savea (Arizona), and CB Jay’Vion Cole (San José State) haven’t played extensively this season, they have played well when called upon.
However, the youth movement in Austin has been even more impressive. Four true freshmen have played 40+ snaps this season — five-star EDGE Colin Simmons, four-star CB Kobe Black, three-star S Jordon Johnson-Rubell, and three-star LB Ty’Anthony Smith — but Simmons has somehow surpassed his lofty expectations.
Despite seeing the third-most snaps in a heavy four-man rotation off the edge, he is second on the team in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (four), consistently generating pressure from his wide alignment.
MORE: 2024 College Football Power Rankings
Then, there are the true sophomores: LB Anthony Hill Jr., CB Malik Muhammad, LB Liona Lefau, and S Jelani McDonald.
Hill leads the team with 42 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks, Muhammad is tied for the top spot with four pass breakups, and Lefau recorded the team’s only safety this year while also coming in third with five TFLs. Heck, even redshirt freshman EDGE Colton Vasek has shined in minimal reps.
Also of note is sophomore safety Derek Williams Jr., who played well in four games but will miss the rest of the season due to a lower-body injury that requires surgery.
Those are the Jimmys and Joes, but let’s dive into the Xs and Os.
The Longhorns lead the country in the following:
- Points per game: 6.3
- Yards per game: 229.7
- Yards per play: 3.5
- Stop rate (forced punts, turnovers, or downs): 87.1%
- Points per drive: 0.51 — no other team is under 0.8
But wait, there’s more! Texas is also No. 2 in red-zone defense (57.1%), No. 5 in first downs allowed (82), No. 7 in third-down conversion rate (27.6%), tied at No. 8 in TFLs per game (8.2), tied at No. 10 in sacks per game (3.17), and tied at 23rd in takeaways (11 — four fumble recoveries and seven INTs).
For those looking for advanced analytics and easy-to-understand charts, the program also excels in opponent-adjusted EPA per play.
📊Opponent Adjusted EPA/play
Weeks 1-7▫️Bama vs Tenn + Texas vs UGA, we are truly spoiled
▫️Perennial Quadrant of Despair member UCONN has a great defense!
▫️Outside of Miami, it's been a tough 2024 for the state of Florida
▫️Some HCs people may be interested in pic.twitter.com/KHx2HVr7bl— Bud Davis (@JBudDavis) October 14, 2024
Now, I hear you, “What does it all mean?” In short, it means Texas is back.
Led by defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, who was the architect of some of the top defenses while at Washington and Boise State, the unit has gradually improved to its spot on the throne.
Although PK’s primary formation is the 2-4-5 (largely the same as the 4-2-5) with a base Match Quarters coverage, he isn’t married to any one front, making his defense difficult to game plan against.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season With CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Additionally, he deploys hybridized roles at the traditional defensive end and outside linebacker spots, allowing the 11 men on the field to disguise looks, which is increasingly difficult against spread formations.
So, Texas has the players, the play-caller, and the scheme — what’s more to want?
Competition.
While many elite teams have faltered, Texas has stayed steady, carving out its path with conviction. After taking down Michigan in Week 2, the Longhorns have been on a tear, outscoring opponents 176-26 in their last four games. Meanwhile, preseason SEC powerhouses have stumbled.
Alabama took down Georgia only to fall to Vanderbilt the next week. Tennessee was upset by Arkansas, and Ole Miss is already on its second conference loss, dimming their SEC title hopes.
As for Texas, the defense has steamrolled through three Group of Five QBs (Colorado State, UTSA, and UL-Monroe), a true freshman (Mississippi State), a now-benched Michigan passer, and another true freshman missing five of his top receivers (Oklahoma).
Yet, with six SEC offenses on deck, including Georgia on Saturday, the Longhorns’ No. 1 status will be tested. Based on the analytics and the film, they’ll have the answers.
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