Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning have led the Texas Longhorns to their first 6-0 start since 2009 with a goal of winning the College Football Playoff National Championship. But the offense wasn’t the only unit playing at an elite level. Texas’ defense has gone from overlooked to overwhelming The State best in 2024.

How Texas dominated defensively in 2024

The 2024 NFL Draft was historic for Texas as it marked the first time in four decades (1984) that double-digit numbers of players were selected in the same cycle. In fact, all 11 Longhorns invited to the 2024 NFL Combine heard their names called in the first six rounds of the draft.

Despite having the most selections on offense, the defense lost four starters: DTs Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat, LB Jaylan Ford and CB Ryan Watts. Then five more contributors exited 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 a pretty outgoing contingent, so Steve Sarkisian and Co. will have to rely heavily on their first- and second-year players, as well as a handful of transfers. Headlining the new group were Clemson S Andrew Mukuba and UTSA EDGE Trey Moore, both of whom reached impressive heights with their previous programs.

And while fellow transfers DT Jermayne Lole (Louisville), DT Bill Norton (Georgia), DT Tiaoalii Savea (Arizona) and CB Jay’Vion Cole (San Jose State) haven’t played much this season, they played well when called up on.

However, the youth movement in Austin was even more impressive. Four true freshmen have played more than 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 his own somehow exceeded high expectations.

Despite seeing the third-most snaps from the edge in a strong four-man rotation, he ranks second on the team in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (four) and generates consistent pressure with his wide stance.

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 With 4.5 sacks, Muhammad is tied for the lead with four pass breakups, and Lefau recorded the team’s only safety this year, but also ranked third with five TFLs. Even redshirt freshman EDGE Colton Vasek shined with minimal reps.

Also of note is second-year safety Derek Williams Jr., who played well in four games but will miss the rest of the season with 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:

• Points per game: 6.3
• Yards per game: 229.7
• Yards per game: 3.5
• Stop Rate (forced punts, turnovers or downs): 87.1%
• Points per trip: 0.51 – no other team is below 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%) and ranks 8th in TFLs per game (8.2), tied for 10th in sacks per game (3.17) and tied for 23rd in takeaways (11 – four fumble recoveries and seven INTs).

For those looking for advanced analysis and easy-to-understand charts, the program also features opponent-adjusted EPA per play.

📊Opponent adjusted EPA/game
Weeks 1-7

▫️Bama vs. Tenn + Texas vs. UGA, we’re really spoiled
▫️Perennial Quadrant of Despair member UCONN has a great defense!
▫️Outside of Miami, it was a tough 2024 for Florida State
▫️Some HCs might be of interest to people 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 it back.

Under the leadership of defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, who designed some of the most important defenses at Washington and Boise State, the unit has gradually risen to its place on the throne.

Although PK’s primary formation is the 2-4-5 (largely identical to the 4-2-5) with basic match-quarter coverage, he is not tied to a specific front, making his defense difficult to counter .

MORE: Simulate the college football season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor

He also fills hybrid roles at the traditional defensive end and outside linebacker positions, allowing the 11 men on the field to hide their looks, something that becomes increasingly difficult in spread formations.

So Texas has the players, the game manager and the scheme – what more could you want?

Competition.

While many elite teams have faltered, Texas has remained stable and walked its path with conviction. After defeating Michigan in Week 2, the Longhorns were on a roll, outscoring their opponents 176-26 in their last four games. Meanwhile, the preseason SEC powerhouses have stumbled.

Alabama beat Georgia but fell to Vanderbilt the next week. Tennessee was upset by Arkansas and Ole Miss suffered its second conference loss, dampening their SEC title hopes.

As for Texas, the defense has 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, which is missing five of its top players, enforced receiver (Oklahoma).

But with six SEC offenses, including Georgia on Saturday, the Longhorns’ No. 1 status will be tested. Based on the analysis and the film, they will have the answers.

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