The dust has (mostly) settled from the spring transfer portal and we’re less than 100 days until kickoff of the 2024 season. As the calendar turns to June, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football takes stock at each position room at the 13 FBS programs to provide a feel for how each stack up relative to conference strength. We provide explanations for our top five and then list 6-13 below starting with the linebackers. 

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | OL | DL | LB

SECONDARIES

1. SMU MUSTANGS 

The players: S Jonathan McGill, S Isaiah Nwokobia, NB Cale Sanders Jr., CB Jahari Rogers 

The outlook: McGill, Nwokobia, and Sanders were all-conference selections as the Pony secondary transformed into one of the best units in college football in 2023. They’ll need to be even better in 2024 as the Mustangs move up into the ACC. The cornerback spot opposite of Rogers is the only starting job up for grabs. Texas A&M transfer Deuce Harmon might be the favorite. 

2. BAYLOR BEARS 

The players: CB Caden Jenkins, NB Carl Williams IV, S Devyn Bobby, S Devin Lemear, CB Lorando Johnson 

The outlook: Dave Aranda’s return to a familiar role as defensive play caller should help a talented group of secondary players. The Baylor defense hasn’t been great the last two years, but the front-line players, at least on paper, are one of the better units in the Big 12. Jenkins was a Freshman All-American last season. Johnson, an Arkansas transfer who began his career at Baylor, should start at the opposite corner. Williams is excellent at the nickel spot. Bobby and Lemear are talented safeties when healthy. 

3. TEXAS A&M AGGIES 

The players: S Bryce Anderson, NB Jaydon Hill, CB Tyreek Chappell, CB Will Lee III, S De’Rickey Wright 

The outlook: In Mike Elko (and the transfer portal), we trust. The Aggies brought in four cornerbacks and three safeties through the portal since Elko arrived in December. It is anyone’s guess who floats to the top of the starting lineup at a few positions, but the move of Anderson to deep safety should unlock his potential. Elko is a safeties coach by trade. His last defense as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M ranked first nationally against the pass.  

4. TEXAS LONGHORNS 

The players: NB Jahdae Barron, S Andrew Mukuba, CB Malik Muhammad, S Derek Williams, S Michael Taaffe 

The outlook: Texas is too talented in the back end of the defense to struggle for a second year, right? RIGHT? If the Longhorns are truly a national championship contender, the secondary must live up to their star rankings. Mukuba transfers in from Clemson to provide leadership, experience, and athleticism to the deep safety spot. Williams is a five-star who was thrust into duty as a freshman. Barron is one of the top nickel backs in America. The cornerback tandem is the spot to watch with Muhammad figuring in on one side. Terrance Brooks transferred out after spring. 

5. TCU HORNED FROGS

The players: NB Abe Camara, S Bud Clark, CB Avery Helm, S Richard Toney Jr., CB Channing Canada 

The outlook: The safety room puts TCU in the Top 5 secondary list because the cornerback spot is a question mark. Camara’s move to nickel should suit him with a new defensive scheme. Clark, Jamel Johnson and transfers like Toney and Cam Smith should hold down the deep safety spots. Avery Helm returns after an up-and-down 2023. The other cornerback spot was an open competition in spring with Canada fighting with transfers JaTravis Broughton and LaMareon James. 

BEST OF THE REST

6. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS 

Brayln Lux takes over as CB1 while the safety room consists of the first crop of players brought in by Joey McGuire & Co. 

7. TEXAS STATE BOBCATS 

The safety tandem Kaleb Culp and Tory Spears is elite. Joshua Eaton is a plus athlete at cornerback. 

8. UTSA ROADRUNNERS 

If Denver Harris lives up to his five-star pedigree, watch out. Depth at safety could be a concern. 

9. HOUSTON COUGARS 

The loss of cornerback Isaiah Hamilton after the spring hurts, but Latrell McCutchin could be a breakout player. 

10. RICE OWLS

The Owls are talented and experienced on the back end. 

11. UTEP MINERS

AJ Odoms is an all-conference cornerback candidate. 

12. SAM HOUSTON 

A mixture of old and new faces are asked with keeping the Bearkats secondary as a strength. 

13. NORTH TEXAS

Isheem Young (Ole Miss) was brought in to make the safety room bigger, and tougher.