Chip Shots: Texas Longhorns’ 2025 Defensive Two-Deep Projection as They Prepare for Season-Opening Clash Against Ohio State in Columbus
Projecting Texas’ 2025 defensive two-deep as the Longhorns prepare to travel to Columbus and face Ohio State in the season opener is more than just a preseason exercise—it is a statement about where Steve Sarkisian’s program stands on the national stage. After all, the move to the SEC has heightened expectations in Austin, and defense has often been the missing ingredient when the Longhorns fall short of championship contention. The Buckeyes will provide an immediate test for a unit that has undergone roster turnover, welcomed high-profile recruits, and leaned on portal additions to build depth and balance. It is not simply about who starts, but also about who rotates in, because championship defenses today are built on waves of contributors rather than just eleven names inked on a depth chart. Texas knows that to compete against the Buckeyes in early September, their defense must already be operating at a midseason standard, and the projected two-deep is the first glimpse of how that goal can be achieved.
The defensive line has become the pride of Texas’ roster, and in 2025 it could again be the foundation of everything they do. The edge spots project as a strength, led by returning pass-rushers who have already proven disruptive in Big 12 and SEC play. Texas has long chased the type of twitchy, NFL-caliber edge defenders that rival programs boast, and now, with experienced juniors and sophomores filling out the rotation, the Longhorns finally look stocked. The starters on the edges bring length, speed, and explosiveness, but what truly sets the group apart is depth—freshmen who might have been forced into redshirt roles in years past are now competing for second-string snaps, giving Texas situational flexibility. Against Ohio State, containing the quarterback and collapsing the pocket will be critical, and this edge unit has the potential to do exactly that.
Inside, the defensive tackle rotation is anchored by powerful veterans who plug gaps and disrupt blocking schemes. Texas has prioritized size and athleticism up front, knowing that controlling the line of scrimmage is non-negotiable in the SEC. Nose tackles will rotate heavily, keeping fresh bodies to absorb double teams and free linebackers to make plays. Behind them, the second string is less experienced but boasts upside, with young defenders flashing in spring practices and summer workouts. The key here will be conditioning—rotations must be effective enough to keep the starters fresh for fourth-quarter moments in Columbus when Ohio State leans on its run game.
Linebacker has been a position of both promise and scrutiny for Texas in recent seasons, but in 2025 it could be the glue that holds the unit together. The starters are physical, instinctive, and athletic enough to chase sideline-to-sideline, while also capable of disguising pressures in Pete Kwiatkowski’s scheme. One veteran leader returns as the signal-caller of the defense, a player trusted to align the front seven and communicate checks against high-tempo offenses like Ohio State. Next to him, a rising sophomore could be poised for a breakout season after impressing with his speed and nose for the football. The backups at linebacker are a mix of steady upperclassmen and intriguing underclassmen, which ensures that injuries will not derail the unit. The emphasis for this group will be discipline—avoiding overpursuit, filling lanes with patience, and delivering sure tackles against elite skill talent.
The secondary is where Texas fans hold their collective breath and where the most intrigue lies in this projection. At cornerback, the Longhorns have a potential lockdown defender returning, someone who has drawn attention as an NFL prospect and could shadow the Buckeyes’ top receiver. Opposite him, competition has been fierce throughout camp, with transfer additions and rising sophomores battling for the starting nod. The rotation here is essential, because Big Ten opponents like Ohio State demand depth against wide receiver corps that can stretch defenses vertically and horizontally. Backups must be prepared to play significant snaps, and the Longhorns believe they finally have a room with enough length, speed, and competitiveness to hold their own.
Safety, meanwhile, is undergoing a transformation. The projected starters bring a blend of physicality in the box and range on the back end. Texas has invested heavily in recruiting versatile safeties who can cover tight ends, provide run support, and blitz off the edge. One of the starters is a returning veteran with leadership qualities, while the other may be a younger player stepping into the spotlight for the first time. The backups are inexperienced but talented, giving the staff options depending on the opponent. Communication in this group is everything—against Ohio State’s motion-heavy offense, safeties must diagnose alignments and direct traffic to avoid busted coverages.
Nickelback has emerged as a crucial role in modern college defenses, and Texas has a strong candidate to fill that role in 2025. With offenses attacking mismatches in space, the nickel must be able to cover receivers, blitz off the edge, and fit the run. The starter here is versatile and has earned the trust of coaches, while his backup is a younger player who may still be adjusting to the demands of the hybrid role. Texas views the nickel as a strength rather than a liability, and it could be a difference-maker in slowing down Ohio State’s short passing game.
As for special defensive packages, the two-deep is flexible enough to shift personnel. Against run-heavy sets, Texas can lean on its deeper tackle rotation and move linebackers closer to the line. Against spread formations, the secondary can expand into dime looks with extra defensive backs, relying on the pass rush to generate pressure. The depth chart shows not only who starts, but also how Texas plans to adapt to different offensive looks. This adaptability will be tested immediately against Ryan Day’s Buckeye offense, which is notorious for adjusting on the fly and forcing defenses into mismatches.
What stands out most about this projected two-deep is balance. In years past, Texas often had one or two defensive stars surrounded by question marks. Now, the depth chart suggests a more even spread of talent, where second-string players are not just placeholders but legitimate contributors. That is how championship programs are built, and it is why this season feels different in Austin.
There is, of course, risk in projections. Injuries, late-emerging freshmen, and scheme tweaks could alter the two-deep before kickoff in Columbus. But as it stands, this defense has the look of a unit capable of withstanding the grind of SEC play while also standing toe-to-toe with a perennial playoff contender in Week 1. If the defensive line sets the tone, the linebackers hold their ground, and the secondary communicates effectively, Texas will not only compete with Ohio State—they could leave with a win that reverberates across the college football landscape.
For Sarkisian, the season opener is about more than just a single game; it is about showing that Texas is fully equipped to thrive in the SEC era. The defense has long been the side of the ball holding the program back, but the 2025 two-deep offers optimism that the tide may be turning. Every position group, from the trenches to the back end, features names that inspire confidence and hint at long-term stability. That is precisely the vision Texas fans have been waiting for, and it is why this projection matters so much.
When the Longhorns step into Ohio Stadium, they will not be viewed simply as visitors from the South. They will be seen as an SEC program carrying the expectations of a fan base desperate for a return to glory. The defense, with its carefully built two-deep, will be the first to show whether Texas is ready to meet those expectations. The challenge is immense, the margin for error thin, and the spotlight unavoidable. But for Texas, that is exactly how they want it.
