Skip to main content

Texas Football: Projected Defensive Two-Deep from 2025 Signees and 2026 Commits

by: Charlie Williams07/16/25
Steve Sarkisian
Steve Sarkisian (Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Texas collected a host of elite talent in the 2025 class on the defensive side of the ball and is stacking up future stars in the 2026 class with current commits. With multiple five-star signees, high-ceiling four-stars, and improving transfer additions, the Longhorns have built one of the most complete and competitive defenses in the country.

[Sign up for Inside Texas TODAY and get the BEST Longhorns scoop!]

The depth shows up immediately in the trenches. The defensive line is absolutely loaded—not just with starters, but with enough rotational power to go eight or nine deep. Between top-ranked freshmen, SEC transfers, and 2026 commits, Texas can rotate bodies situationally without sacrificing production. The rotation up front could be one of the best in the nation.

Projected Texas Defensive Two-Deep (2025–2026)

Ranked by Player Talent — Class Year + Accurate Rankings and Transfer Origins Included

EDGE DEFENDERS

1st Team:

  • Justus Terry – Five-star (2025) | No. 2 DL nationally, No. 13 overall, No. 3 in Georgia (listed as a defensive tackle, but I’m putting him at EDGE)
  • Richard Wesley – Five-star (2026) | No. 3 EDGE, No. 18 overall, No. 3 in California

2nd Team:

  • Smith Orogbo – Four-star (2025) | No. 11 EDGE, No. 96 overall, No. 18 in Texas
  • Lance Jackson –Five- star (2025)| No.2 EDGE | No. 19 overall, No. 6 in Texas

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

1st Team:

  • James Johnson – Five-star (2026) | No. 1 DT, No. 42 overall, No. 8 in Florida
  • Myron Charles – Four-star (2025) | No. 12 DT, No. 107 overall, No. 13 in Florida

2nd Team:

  • Vodney Cleveland – Four-star (2026) | No. 16 DT, No. 142 overall, No. 9 in Alabama
  • Josiah Sharma – Four-star (2025) | No. 15 DT, No. 166 overall, No. 16 in California

Rotational Depth:

  • Dylan Berymon – Four-star (2026) | No. 22 DT, No. 207 overall, No. 8 in Louisiana
  • Corey Wells – Four-star (2026) | No. 31 DT, No. 269 overall, No. 12 in Mississippi
  • Travis Shaw – Three-star Transfer from North Carolina | Grade: 87
  • Hero Kanu – Three-star Transfer from Ohio State | Grade: 87
  • Cole Brevard – Three-star Transfer from Purdue | Grade: 89
  • Maraad Watson – Three-star Transfer from Syracuse
  • Lavon Johnson – Unranked Transfer from Maryland

LINEBACKERS

1st Team:

  • Tyler Atkinson – Five-star (2026) | No. 1 LB, No. 9 overall, No. 1 in Georgia
  • Elijah Barnes – Four-star (2025) | No. 60 overall, No. 12 in Texas

2nd Team:

  • Kosi Okpala – Four-star (2026) | No. 18 LB, No. 287 overall, No. 34 in Texas
  • Brad Spence – Four-star Transfer from Arkansas | Grade: 90

NICKEL / STAR

1st Team:

  • Grayson Littleton – Four-star (2025) | No. 9 CB, No. 68 overall, No. 11 in Florida

2nd Team:

CORNERBACKS

1st Team:

  • Kade Phillips – Five-star (2025) | No. 5 CB, No. 29 overall, No. 8 in Texas
  • Samari Matthews – Four-star (2026) | No. 14 CB, No. 105 overall, No. 8 in North Carolina

2nd Team:

  • Hayward Howard Jr. – Four-star (2026) | No. 31 CB, No. 333 overall, No. 10 in Louisiana
  • Caleb Chester – Three-star (2025) | No. 75 CB, No. 741 overall, No. 101 in Texas

SAFETY

1st Team:

  • Jonah Williams – Five-star (2025) | No. 1 Safety, No. 7 overall, No. 4 in Texas
  • Zelus Hicks – Four-star (2025) | No. 29 Safety, No. 317 overall, No. 42 in Georgia

2nd Team:

  • Yaheim Riley – Three-star (2026) | No. 91 Safety, No. 990 overall, No. 145 in Texas

You may also like