​Texas football is just 55 days away from the Longhorns taking the field against Texas State, and we’ve returned to “Breakout Sunday” to spotlight a player who tends to fly under the radar. Zina Umeozulu, a third-year edge rusher, appeared in 12 of 13 games last season, finishing with 13 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. I’m predicting he’ll take a big step forward this year, with the potential to double those production numbers.
The Longhorns’ pass rush revolves around one standout: Colin Simmons. He’s as disruptive a talent as the sport has to offer, and he’ll be joined on the edge by Lance Jackson on the opposite side as a starter. There’s an opening at EDGE3, and Umeozulu appears poised to seize that role. His length and athleticism were clear last season, and in Muschamp’s system, he’ll find himself in more attacking positions.
Umeozulu checks in at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, a near replica in build to former Longhorn EDGE Ethan Burke. Yet I believe Umeozulu might bring a more developed pass-rush repertoire. He got home for just two sacks last season in 2023, but I’d expect that total to rise to at least five sacks this year. I anticipate him and Lance Jackson rotating frequently across from Simmons, maximizing their opportunities and keeping offenses off balance.
For Longhorn fans, Zina Umeozulu is a familiar name by now, but I doubt many outside the fan base are circling him as a breakout candidate heading into the season. Offseason reports suggest he’s taken the next step and is ready to elevate the EDGE room. I’m confident he’ll deliver and earn genuine national recognition by season’s end.
We’re still in the midst of identifying breakout candidates for the Longhorns, so expect more names to surface next week. Tomorrow, we’ll take a closer look at the EDGE room itself. Colin Simmons clearly leads the way, but how does the depth chart behind him shape up around No. 11? I believe a few players must step up, and the ceiling for this unit remains exceptionally high.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: EDGE Zina Umeozulu set for breakout season.