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AUSTIN – Things are starting to look up for the Texas defensive line.

Tom Herman opened camp wondering how the Longhorns would find serviceable players to get work behind Poona Ford, Chris Nelson and Malcolm Roach. The emergence early in camp of true freshman Taquon Graham and the rapid development of junior Charles Omenihu has meant two capable bodies will be available for the Sept. 2 season opener against Maryland to provide some relief for the starters at the two 4i spots.

Even though the praise hasn’t been as lofty as it has been for Roach and Omenihu, sophomore Gerald Wilbon and junior college transfer Jamari Chisholm are proving themselves capable of providing similar depth on the interior behind Ford.

“They’re not to Poona Ford’s caliber just yet, but they’re playing well,” Herman said following Monday’s practice. “If we had to play tomorrow they would play 10-12 snaps and hopefully give us some good production.”

Listed at 320 pounds in the spring, Wilbon has slimmed down to the point that the camp lists him 305. Regarded as a hard worker by the previous staff, the Destrehan, La. product worked with the second defense throughout the spring and has been the primary backup to Ford through one week of camp.

The surprise name to come out of Herman’s mouth was Chisholm, who missed all of summer conditioning after enrolling late from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Given that Monday marked Chisholm’s first practice in full pads, the fact that he’s made an impression on Herman already says a lot about what the Valdosta, Ga. native brings to the table.

“[When a] guy comes in in August you kind of just anticipate having to redshirt him or not getting much out of him until middle or late in the season, but he’s done a good job,” Herman said. “When he’s in there Coach (Todd) Orlando and Coach (Oscar) Giles keep it pretty simple for him. It’s just about playing, not a whole lot of thinking.”

While Herman and Orlando have suggested that starters at linebacker and defensive back will play significantly more than their backups, the defensive line needs to have a deep rotation. Not one to be completely satisfied with the progress of his squad, Herman wants to see Wilbon and Chisholm continue to improve in order for the Longhorns to have the kind of rotation they need up front in order to make sure their best players are available and able to function at a high level throughout the 12-game regular season.

“We need those guys continuing to improve their game so that we feel good that in the fourth quarter and in the second half of the season that Poona Ford is still where he needs to be,” Herman said.

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