Texas Longhorns Must Address Defensive Tackle Depth Before 2025 Season Kicks Off
As the 2025 college football season approaches, the Texas Longhorns are once again in the thick of recruiting battles, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are making concerted efforts to fortify the defensive line—a critical area of need if Texas is to make a serious national title push this year.
The latest addition to the roster came on Saturday when the Longhorns secured a major commitment from four-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland. Cleveland chose Texas over several top-tier programs, including the Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, and North Carolina Tar Heels. His decision marks a crucial win for the Longhorns’ recruitment strategy, particularly on the interior defensive front.
Cleveland joins an already promising defensive tackle group that includes fellow four-star commitments Dylan Berymon and Corey Wells. In addition to these high school prospects, Texas took advantage of the transfer portal earlier this spring, landing former Syracuse defensive tackle Maraad Watson in late April.
Despite these gains, Texas still faces significant concerns at the defensive tackle position. The numbers simply aren’t where they need to be, and the lack of depth has become a glaring issue. According to Bobby Burton, a Texas football analyst speaking on the On Texas Football podcast, the Longhorns have struggled for years to maintain consistency and depth in this area.
Burton broke down the recent recruiting history at the position, highlighting the problem. Two years ago, Texas signed only Alex January and Melvin Hills. The year before that, the lone addition was Sydir Mitchell, who has since left the program. Then in the most recent cycle, they added just two true tackles: Josiah Sharma and Myron Charles. This uneven recruiting approach has left Texas without the numbers needed to sustain performance, rotate players effectively, or deal with injuries during the season.
The consequences of these recruiting missteps are clear. The lack of continuity and rotational depth at the defensive tackle spot has placed added pressure on the defensive line, particularly in high-stakes matchups where the physicality of play escalates. Without enough depth, the Longhorns risk being outmatched in the trenches—something that could derail their postseason ambitions.
With this in mind, Sarkisian and his staff are not resting on their recent successes. The team has its eyes on three more high-profile defensive tackle prospects in the current recruiting class, each of whom could help solidify the unit.
At the top of the wishlist is Darryus McKinley, a four-star lineman who has narrowed his choices to four schools. Texas is among them, but the competition is fierce—especially from LSU, where McKinley’s older brother currently plays. The Longhorns will need to make a lasting impression during his upcoming visit if they hope to sway him from Baton Rouge.
Next on the list is Valdin Sone, another intriguing four-star prospect with a European background. While not much is known about Sone compared to domestic recruits, his potential has generated significant buzz in recruiting circles. If Texas can bring him into the fold, it would add both talent and a unique edge to the defensive front.
The third key target is in-state standout Malcom Simpson, a four-star talent from Hitchcock High School. Ranked as the No. 17 defensive tackle nationally, Simpson has already taken an unofficial visit to Austin and came away impressed. He described the Texas football environment as “electric,” signaling that the Longhorns are in a strong position heading into the summer recruiting push.
Landing all three would be a dream scenario, but even securing two of the trio could dramatically improve the Longhorns’ defensive front. More importantly, it would help the program establish the kind of pipeline necessary to avoid the depth issues that have plagued them in recent years.
Sarkisian has demonstrated in the past that when he fully commits to solving a problem, the results can be impressive. Whether it’s flipping a recruit, reshaping a position group, or adjusting the game plan, Sark has shown the capacity to lead with focus and intent. Now, with Texas eyeing a deep playoff run, the time has come for that same level of attention to be directed squarely at the defensive line.
If the Longhorns are to compete with powerhouse programs like Georgia and LSU—who have built their identities on dominating the line of scrimmage—they’ll need more than just talent. They’ll need reliable depth, smart rotations, and the kind of internal competition that brings out the best in every player.
It’s not just about landing star recruits anymore—it’s about building a cohesive, durable unit that can withstand the grind of a full season and rise to the occasion in the College Football Playoff.
The clock is ticking, and the expectations in Austin are sky-high. Sarkisian’s staff has taken the right first steps, but much more work remains if Texas wants to be known not just for its offense, but for a defense capable of winning championships.
With key visits and decisions looming over the next few months, the Longhorns’ ability to close the gap at defensive tackle could ultimately decide how far they go in 2025.
