Texas edge spring preview: Sending out an SOS for a pass rush

Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesSince the departure of Charles Omenihu following the 2018 season, the Texas Longhorns haven’t had a single player record more than 5.5 sacks in a season. Not even 2021 third-round draft pick Joseph Ossai, who had five sacks in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, overall sack production dropped to 20 before rebounding to 27 last season.

So the search for an impact pass rusher has spanned four seasons, three defensive coordinators, four defensive line coaches, and three linebacker coaches.

First-year head coach Steve Sarkisian turned to the NCAA transfer portal for help two years ago, adding Alabama’s Ben Davis, LSU’s Ray Thornton, and Notre Dame’s Ovie…