Texas football: No. 1 JUCO linebacker to get first career DI start

Texas will roll out some extra beef to counter Rice's robust offense, playing four true linebackers opposite the Owls two and three tight end sets.

That means coveted JUCO recruit Juwan Mitchell will get his first career start in the middle for the Longhorns.

Mitchell was the No. 1 junior college linebacker and No. 2 JUCO player overall in the 2019 class according to ESPN.

He comes to Texas via Butler Community College in Kansas, a member of the Jayhawk Conference (of Last Chance U fame). He played his high school ball at Mater Dei High School in New Jersey.

Mitchell spent the summer in a tight battle with redshirt freshman Ayodele Adeoye for the starting middle linebacker job and is listed as an 'or' on the depth chart, though Adeoye has seen the lion's share of snaps so far this season.

Mitchell has just one tackle so far this year against Louisiana Tech, but that number should increase dramatically as the Owls try and run directly at the Longhorns.

Just a sophomore, Mitchell has three years to play two and figures to be a big part of the linebacker picture going forward, especially if Texas were to draw a more run-oriented team in the postseason.