Fall Camp Report - Updated Defensive Depth Chart

This fall camp has seen some changes from last year's defense. The defense is looking to replace both starting defensive ends, a defensive tackle and the starting strong safety. Who has stepped up into these positions so far?

Safety

At Strong Safety, sophomore Innis Gaines looks to secure the position vacated by the graduated Denzel Johnson. Gaines has been battling Ridwan Issahaku but Issahaku has been sidelined of late with an injury. With the season just around the corner, it's Gaines' job to lose at this point.

Weak Safety and Free Safety will return both starters from last season, Nick Orr and Niko Small, respectively. Orr led the team in interceptions a year ago and looks to make his mark on this defense in his senior season. Niko Small looks to build on a sophomore year that saw him start 12 of 13 games and saw his game improve as the season went along.

Behind Small at Free Safety is sophomore Vernon Scott, who was a special teams contributor last season as a true freshman. Scott is one of the fastest players on the team running a sub-4.4 40-yard dash. Backing up Nick Orr at Weak Safety is junior Markell Simmons. Simmons arrived in Fort Worth a year ago after one year of JUCO at Pima CC in Arizona. Simmons also contributed on special teams last season.

Linebacker

Travin Howard is ready to build on last year in which he totaled 130 tackles and was named All-Big 12 First Team. The 130 tackles are third most in the Gary Patterson era. Opposite Howard of late is junior Arico Evans, a converted safety. Evans moved to linebacker late last year due to so many injuries at the position. Patterson loves Evans' speed and playmaking ability at the position. Backing up Howard and Evans are senior Sammy Douglas sophomore Montrel Wilson and junior Alec Dunham. Wilson has started nine games and Douglas has started five games in their careers. Patterson says this is the deepest they've been at linebacker since joining the Big 12 in 2012.

Cornerback

Having a healthy Ranthany Texada will make all the difference in the world for the Horned Frogs corners this season. Texada played most of last season on a 80 percent healthy knee. Texada didn't really return to form until late in the season last year. Opposite Texada is sophomore Jeff Gladney. Gladney started eight games last year and had six pass breakups. Behind Texada and Gladney are juniors Julius Lewis and Tony James. James and Lewis are two of the Frogs fastest corners and will provide depth for Texada and Gladney. Junior College transfer Keenan Reed has impressed in camp as well and could be moving up the charts.

Defensive End

With the departure of Josh Carraway and James McFarland to graduation there are holes at each defensive end spot. Mat Boesen, the returning sack leader from last year (6.5) is battling with Ty Summers, who is making the move to defensive end from linebacker where he was Second Team All-Big 12 last year. On the opposite side is Ben Banogu, a transfer from Louisiana-Monroe who sat out last year and participated on scout team. Redshirt freshmen Gary Overshown is also being pushed in practice by JUCO transfers Alex Bush, who moved from linebacker to defensive end along with Summers this fall, and Michael Epley, the former SMU Mustang.

Defensive Tackle

Defensive Tackle is likely to see the biggest changes of all the positions on defense. Chris Bradley has made 18 starts at the position over the past three years and will be the veteran presence inside. Who plays next to him is entirely unknown right now. At the end of the Spring it looked like it would be redshirt freshman Ross Blacklock or junior L.J. Collier. As of Friday, August 11th it was true freshman Corey Bethley opposite Bradley with the first team. Joe Broadnax is still in the mix as well having started three games last season. Also watch out for true freshmen George Ellis III and 25-yr old JUCO transfer Ezra Tu'ua to push for playing time this season.