Top 3 Texas defensive players to watch out for in 2025 Cotton Bowl ft. Alfred Collins

Throughout the season, the No. 3 Texas Longhorns defense has been among the best in the nation. They will face their toughest test yet when they take on the No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl on Friday.

The Longhorns allow 277.9 yards per game during the season, which is the third-best in the country. However, they allowed 510 yards to Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, 214 of them on the ground.

If Texas is looking to make it into the National Championship Game, they will need to put a better effort in the Cotton Bowl. The Longhorns have enough talent to compete with Ohio State, but it will be a tall order.

Top 3 Texas defensive players in the Cotton Bowl

While Ohio State doesn't have Cam Skattebo in their roster, they have a variety of offensive weapons the Longhorns have not faced this season. Here are three defensive players who could make a difference for Texas.

Anthony Hill Jr. leads the Longhorns in tackles. - Source: Imagn

#3. Anthony Hill Jr., Linebacker

Ohio State’s offense can beat their opponents in a variety of ways, which means the linebacker may have a busy day. Anthony Hill Jr. is considered one of the top prospects on the Longhorns roster.

The sophomore leads the Longhorns with 107 tackles and added 7.5 sacks. In the running game, he will have to chase down Quinshon Judkins, Treveyon Henderson and even quarterback Will Howard.

In two College Football Playoff games, Hill has accounted for 17 tackles. He will need another big game against the Buckeyes if Texas wants to control the game defensively.

#2. Jahdae Barron, Cornerback

The Thorpe Award winner will be among the most important players for the Longhorns. Jahdae Barron may be taking ultra-talented freshman Jeremiah Smith, who has exploded for 290 yards and four touchdowns in the playoffs.

Neither Tennessee nor Oregon could slow down the wide receiver, but Barron received the award for the top defensive back in the nation for a reason. If the Longhorns are going to win in Arlington, they will need to slow down the Buckeyes' passing attack.

#1. Alfred Collins, Defensive Tackle

One advantage the Longhorns may have over Ohio State is the matchup between their interior linemen and the Buckeyes’ offensive line. The Longhorns have a pair of strong defensive tackles in Vernon Broughton and Alfred Collins.

While both will need a solid game, Collins looks like the more proficient tackler. He has 53 tackles during the season. Another thing the Bastrop, Texas native does well is raise his arms to take away passing lanes, with six pass deflections until now.

In their loss to the Michigan Wolverines, the Ohio State offensive interior was dominated by the Wolverines. Texas should be looking for a similar recipe to win on Friday and Collins will be the key to getting it done.