Texas football 2017: Projected Longhorns depth chart

Defense

Notable losses: Texas will retain their top-10 tacklers from the 2016 season, so there isn’t a big-name loss from the defense. They’ll lose Paul Boyette Jr., however, who had 2 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. Other than that, it will mostly be a young Texas defense for the fall.

DE: Malcolm Roach, Sophomore

NT: Poona Ford, Senior

DE: Chris Nelson, Redshirt Junior

OLB: Breckyn Hager, Junior

2016’s leading tackler Breckyn Hager should return as the starter at outside linebacker. He totaled 65 tackles last season,13.5 of which were for a loss. Along with 6 sacks added, it made Hager one of the top players from Texas’ defense. Will he replicate this in his junior year under Tom Herman?

MLB: Anthony Wheeler, Junior

Anthony Wheeler will play the middle linebacker role in the stronger half of the front-seven. Wheeler had 60 tackles in 2016 and will look to build on this in his junior year.

ILB: Malik Jefferson, Junior

Malik Jefferson will return to the linebacker group, too. He had a season on par with Hager in 2016, posting 60 tackles and totaling 6.5 sacks. It could be a big season for Jefferson, as he’ll look to impress in his junior year before the 2018 NFL Draft.

CB: Kris Boyd, Junior

SS: DeShon Elliott, Junior

FS: Jason Hall, Junior

CB: Davante Davis, Junior

PK: Joshua Rowland, Junior

Joshua Rowland is a junior but transferred to Texas as a JUCO. He was one of the top JUCO kickers available and should provide Texas with consistency at this volatile position for the 2017 season.

P: Michael Dickson, Junior

KR: Jerrod Heard, Redshirt Junior

PR: Armanti Foreman, Senior

Next: College Football's 25 Best Rivalries

The Texas football season will kick off soon. Who will step up and take over a spot on the depth chart? Let us know on social media and in the comments.