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The Texas secondary is elite... again

by: Justin Nash17 hours ago
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Graceson Littleton (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

After losing the Jim Thorpe Award winner in Jahdae Barron and a second round pick in Andrew Mukuba from the 2024 Texas defense, there were understandable concerns about a potential drop off in play from the Longhorns’ defensive backs. So far, though, this group has shown itself to be an elite unit that has blended talent and experience to stifle opposing passing attacks at a historic level.

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Many already knew the names of Malik Muhammad and Michael Taaffe. They entered the year with high expectations and have met them so far.

While Muhammad has not quite met his 2024 NFL passer rating against, he is allowing both fewer yards per catch and yards per game. He has prevented two opponents from completing a single pass against him this season. Sam Houston State didn’t try to throw at him at all.

Taaffe has played elite football against the run and pass. He can cover wideouts and coordinate the defense, but this year he’s been at his best against the run. He’s yet to miss a tackle and is tied with Liona Lefau for the team lead in tackles with 25.

Believe it or not, you could argue there are other players who have outperformed Taaffe and Muhammad. Graceson Littleton has been targeted the most and he has stood tall to the task. Similar goes for Jelani McDonald, who entered the year with a lot of expectations. Fans wondered what his ceiling was. Turns out, like his vertical, it’s pretty high up.

Last year, Barron gave Texas truly fantastic play at the corner position, posting an NFL passer rating against of 26.5 according to Sports Info Solutions. Remember, spiking the ball every play would produce an NFL passer rating of 39.6.

Littleton isn’t too far behind Barron, according to SIS. His passer rating allowed in 2025 is 29.6. That’s the second best mark among SEC cornerbacks.

Last year Mukuba, was flying around the field defending the pass. SIS had his NFL passer rating against at a transcendent 8.3. It was easy to figure Texas might not see another defensive back do something like that again.

McDonald said not so fast. According to Sports Info Solutions, McDonald’s NFL passer rating against is a miniscule 3.3. He is the only player in the FBS to have been targeted at least 10 times and own a single digit NFL passer rating against.

In the last two seasons only three players have accomplished that feat. Two, Mukuba and McDonald, are Longhorns.

When you factor in the steps taken by Texas’ run defense, this could be one of the best defenses in school history. Right now, Texas is giving up 3.6 yards per play. That is second in the nation behind BYU.

Considering last year’s defense gave up just 3.8 yards per play through the SEC Championship Game, any additional step forward by the Longhorns might earn them the description of “best defense to ever wear burnt orange.”

And much of the credit would be due to a secondary that just doesn’t give up many, if any, yards.

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