Ranking the Texas position groups: EDGE and LB set the pace

As fall camp gets underway, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at all the position groups and give an idea of how they stack up. To me, there are three groups on this list that separate from the pack. After that, you have remarkable talented groups that might have a couple more questions. It should be said though, all of these position rooms would rank in the top 15-20 in the country. This is just how I would rank them:

1. Edge Rusher

This group is remarkable. Colin Simmons is one of, if not the best edge rusher in the country. Ethan Burke will be holding down the other side. The big recent news is Brad Spence moving to the BUCK position, playing behind Colin Simmons. Colton Vasek, Justus Terry, Lance Jackson and Zina Umeozulu create a second and third line that can create havoc up front. The talent and depth of this unit is as good as you will find in the country.

2. Linebacker

The linebacker group is not far behind the EDGE group, and is led by a top guy in the country at his position in Anthony Hill. Liona Lefau was named to the Butkus Award watchlist, which is very well deserved and is set for a second year leap. The corresponding move after Brad Spence to BUCK is Trey Moore moving to SAM. He will still have pass rush opportunities, but he ups the ability in the LB room. The second line consists of Ty’Anthony Smith, Elijah Barnes and Johnathan Cunningham, all very talented guys, although younger. 

3. Defensive Back

This DB group for Texas is reminiscent of the glory day of “DBU” at Texas in the 2000s. Michael Taaffe leads the way for this group, but with Jelani McDonald, Derek Williams back from injury. Jonah Williams joins this group and will be a factor at some point this season on the backend. The question that will need to be answered is who is holding down the STAR position. Graceson Littleton is a name to watch there. The freshman is taking snaps with the 1s, with Wardell Mack and a couple others rotating in. 

4. Offensive Line

This, to me, is where the line is in this roster. Those first three are as solid as it gets, but then you get to this group that lost four of five starters from a year ago, including the anchor for the last 3 seasons in Jake Majors. That being said, they do bring back three guys that have starting experience, in Trevor Goosby, DJ Campbell and Cole Hutson. You slide Neto Umeozulu in at LG and whoever wins the RT battle between Andre Cojoe and Brandon Baker. The second line is all unproven commodities, but the amount of talent mixed with Kyle Flood’s track record gives me confidence here.

5. Quarterback

This is a group that was very hard to find the right placement for. Obviously Arch Manning is someone that Sarkisian has tons of confidence in and I fully believe he is right about Manning being a true top 10 QB in college football this year. My question lies more after him. Last year, Texas had the luxury of having two QBs they felt they could win a National Title with. Is that the case with Trey Moore or Matthew Caldwell this year? Both are plenty talented, but it will be imperative that Arch gets more comfortable sliding so Texas fans don’t need to learn the answer to that question. 

6.  Defensive Line

This is a group that I really am very bullish on, but when you introduce 5 new transfers and multiple guys getting their first meaningful snaps, you have to have questions. That being said, I think this is going to be a group that meets the standard that has been set the past two seasons, just in a different fashion. Hero Kanu, Travis Shaw and Cole Brevard are all making waves in camp already. Alex January is someone that is looking to take the next step. Add in a freshman All-American in Maraad Watson, I think this might be a deeper group at DT than Texas has had the past two years.

7. Wide Receiver

This group follows the same principles of the DL group, but replace transfers with young players. Sarkisian and co. only went out and grabbed one transfer WR in Emmet Mosley V, but there are a number of guys that will need to step up into big roles for the first time. Parker Livingstone is ready to take the next step and freshmen Daylan McCutcheon and Michael Terry are making waves at camp. Ryan Wingo and DeAndre Moore lead this young group and although many are questioning this unit, I believe this is a very talented and deep group. 

8. Tight End

The big move in this group this offseason was the addition of Jack Endries from Cal. Coming off a 600+ yard season for the Golden Bears, he will be the TE1. Right behind him, you have the duo of Spencer Shannon and Jordan Washington that will be ready to give snaps in 12 personnel. Jordan Washington has bulked up to 260 pounds, according to Jeff Banks, and is ready to be more of the in-line TE the Horns are looking for. A wildcard in this group is Nick Townsned, the uber-talented freshman, who could be an interesting piece later in the season.

9. Running Back

The running back room is one that hinges on health. Not just guys not going down with injuries once again, but getting the duo that suffered injuries last year back up to speed quickly. As for the RB1, it’s Quintrevion Wisner. There is no question about that. CJ Baxter coming back from injury is something to watch, but I tend to believe getting him back to 100% will take a good amount of time. Jerrick Gibson will be a factor early in the season especially, and then you have to get Christian Clark healthy. This group is as talented as there is in the country, but the health questions leave them lower on this list. 

10. Cornerback

The CB group, to me, is the worst unit on this football team. Which sounds a little crazy to say, given Malik Muhammad is a consensus top 10 CB in the country. Jaylon Guilbeau has moved from the nickel position to the outside, likely playing the field corner this year. After that, you have some inexperienced, talented guys like Kobe Black, Warren Roberson and Kade Phillips. This is a capable group as long as Black and Roberson can play solid football. Although this is the worst position group on the team, I think the first line of Muhammad and Guilbeau is as good as you will find across the SEC.

This is one of the most talented rosters in the country. The pass rush group should figure to be one of the best in the country, along with the linebackers right behind him. There are questions in the trenches and outside at receiver, but the talent and depth is impressive. As long as health is on the Longhorns side, this roster will be hard to stop.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas positional rankings highlight depth of the Longhorns