Several Texas Longhorns football players moving to new positions in 2020
AUSTIN, Texas — Several Texas Longhorns players will be lining up at new positions in the 2020 season.
In Tuesday’s press conference, head coach Tom Herman gave the media an update about the changes to the player’s roles on the team.
Herman said sophomore Jordan Whittington would move to slot wide receiver, DeMarvion Overshown would play the “will” linebacker, Joseph Ossai and Bryon Vaughns would play a “hybrid jack” linebacker position and Anthony Cook would move to the nickel cornerback position. Roschon Johnson’s 2019 move from quarterback to running back would continue in 2020, Herman added.
All the personnel changes come as Texas brings in a new defensive coordinator, Chris Ash, and new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.
Entering the Ash-era, Texas will bring in a four-man defensive front as opposed to the three-man front UT ran in 2019. Ash served alongside Herman at Ohio State as defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes in 2014.
Herman noted the return to a true four-man defensive front was to generate more of a pass rush, and was also one of the reasons why Cedar Creek five-star recruit Alfred Collins said he chose Texas.
In the “new look” defense, Herman complemented Ossai’s upside in the junior’s new hybrid position.
“The sky’s the limit,” Herman said. “[Ossai’s] aggressive, he’s twitchy, he’s long, fearless. This will be a great fit for him.”
Offensively, Texas’ decision to move Whittington to slot will allow the Longhorns to get more of its playmakers onto the field. Whittington was a highly-touted player in the running back group coming out training camp for his freshman season in 2019, but was sidelined most of the year due to injury. But Texas won’t forget Whittington’s roots, according to Herman.
“We aren’t going to forget about (Jordan Whittington) in backfield,“ Herman said.
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