Jefferson will be one of Texas' two starting linebackers in his sophomore season.

Spring practice at Texas wrapped up recently, which means it’s time to revisit what the Longhorns’ defensive depth chart might look like.

We tweaked the look of the depth chart from our last edition of the offensive depth chart. It will hopefully better reflect guys who have a chance to start and/or are in a position battle with someone for a starting role.

As always, these are our projections and isn’t a depth chart that’s been officially released by the Texas staff. It’s merely what the depth chart could look like when the Longhorns line up to play Notre Dame on Sept. 4.

So, with all of that said, here’s what our latest defensive projections look like:

-- I’m not ready to put Breckyn Hager as a co-starter with Naashon Hughes, but that’s going to be a battle to watch throughout the summer and into preseason camp for the starting spot at the Fox. Charlie Strong and Vance Bedford moved Hager there because he projects as someone who can give a consistent pass rush presence, which Hughes hasn’t been to this point in his career.

-- Charles Omenihu might not relinquish the starting spot at strong end after holding it throughout the spring. Bryce Cottrell is going to have a fall that mirrors his spring performance last year to fend off the talented sophomore for starting reps. Expect to see Andrew Fitzgerald gets snaps as a true freshman. Malcolm Roach could wind up playing multiple spots up front by the time his true freshman campaign is in the books, but for now we’ve got him slotted at strong end.

-- The top three group of defensive tackles are the three returning veterans (Paul Boyette, Poona Ford and Chris Nelson). Bedford has already gone on record as saying Jordan Elliott will be counted on to play early, and that could be the same for a pair of physically ready-to-go tackles in Marcel Southall and D’Andre Christmas-Giles. All five of of the true freshmen tackles will likely play with Chris Daniels and and Gerald Wilbon having the size the coaches prefer on the inside when it comes to being stout against the run.

-- Texas only uses three linebackers and bases out of a nickel front, so the two-deep at middle linebacker and weakside linebacker are the ones to watch. Anthony Wheeler’s emergence means the coaches can be flexible with how they use Malik Jefferson, although Strong said Jefferson’s experience and leadership presence makes him an ideal fit in the middle of the defense. Jeffrey McCulloch is another true freshman the coaches have said will certainly play in the fall and he can get on the field at multiple positions. The same is true for Erick Fowler, who can play any of Texas’ linebacker positions and might be the answer in the middle that allows the coaches to make Jefferson a moveable chess piece.

-- Things are pretty set at cornerback coming out of spring practice. Of the reserves, Kris Boyd is the one with a chance to join Davante Davis and Holton Hill as starting-caliber players.

-- Like the battle between Hughes and Hager, the battle at the safety spot between Jason Hall and DeShon Elliott will be one where the younger player could wind up unseating the veteran. Elliott had a tremendous spring, and the Longhorns are looking to upgrade speed at safety compared to what they had on the field last year.

-- Dylan Haines has his share of critics, but it’s hard to envision him not starting as of right now. The best thing about the two-deep at Haines’ spot is Brandon Jones will be behind a senior, which will help prepare him for a 2017 season when he’s likely the starter alongside the winner of the Hall/Elliott battle.



-- P.J. Locke sewed up the job as the starting nickelback in the spring. One interesting move in the spring was the coaches moving Antwuan Davis to nickel and John Bonney to deep safety. I liked both of those moves and they could better maximize the skill sets of both players.