Texas Football: Projected Defensive Two-Deep from 2025 Signees and 2026 Commits
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.
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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:
- Jonathan Cunningham – Three-star (2025) | No. 56 LB, No. 516 overall, No. 70 in Texas
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
