Louisiana-Monroe Defensive Players To Watch vs. Texas in Week 1

The Texas Longhorns and albeit many of the nation, has eyes set on the Week 2 assembly between Texas and Alabama. 

However earlier than the hype-filled matchup on Sept. 10, the Longhorns have to have their concentrate on the season-opening residence recreation towards the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks of the Solar Belt convention.

Texas is coming off a 5-7 season, this system’s worst end since 2016. Fortuitously, the one approach to go is up after such a disappointing first 12 months underneath coach Steve Sarkisian, who’s already getting his workforce prepared for the opening recreation of the 2022 season on Sept. 3.

Together with struggles on offense, Louisiana-Monroe, who completed the 2021 season with a 4-8 file, was poor on the defensive aspect of the ball as nicely. The Warhawks have been second within the convention in complete yards allowed per recreation (453.1), first in complete passing yards allowed per recreation (290.3), and second in complete factors allowed (402). 

Ensure that to stay with LonghornsCountry.com by our season preview sequence, the place we are going to analyze each opponent on the Longhorns schedule in 2022. We have already appeared on the Louisiana-Monroe matchup as an entire, in addition to offensive gamers to observe on ULM’s roster.

Now let’s check out among the defensive gamers Texas ought to have its eye on. 

LB Zack Woodard

Woodard was ULM’s second-leading tackler a season in the past (89 tackles) whereas tallying 3.5 sacks, three passes defended, and one decide. 

Woodard’s greatest recreation of the 12 months got here in a 27-24 loss to Arkansas State the place he posted 15 complete tackles and a sack. It is price nothing that he had 11 complete tackles the next week agaisnt extra stout competitors within the LSU Tigers, although the Warhawks misplaced 27-14.

As a fifth-year senior with among the most expertise on ULM’s protection, he is in place to reclaim his beginning roll at MIKE linebacker for the Warhawks this fall. 

LB Quae Drake

One other linebacker to be careful for is Drake, who did a bit of little bit of all the pieces final season. He had the fourth-most tackles on the workforce (54) whereas including 2.5 sacks, an interception, one cross defended, and a fumble restoration. 

At 6-2, 220, he is one of many larger guys on a small Warhawks protection and will do some harm towards a Texas O-line that struggled mightily final season. 

S Jabari Johnson

Within the secondary, Johnson is a man that each Hudson Card and Quinn Ewers ought to preserve tabs on. From his security spot final season, he had the third-most tackles on the workforce (57) and had an interception, one cross defended, and a compelled fumble.

Within the first recreation of the season, he intercepted Kentucky quarterback and future potential first-round decide Will Levis on the primary drive of the sport. ULM scored on the following possession to go up 7-0, surprising the Wildcats’ residence crowd. However the Warhawks weren’t in a position to capitalize on the momentum, as they misplaced 45-10. 

Nonetheless, Johnson proved his big-play capability on protection can change the tide of a recreation, as he’ll search for one other season-opening interception towards the Longhorns. 

You possibly can comply with Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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