Texas Could Get Major Defensive Boost Ahead of Florida Showdown

Justus Terry dressed for Texas' 27-24 loss to Oklahoma last Saturday. He never took a snap.

A week later, the sophomore defensive lineman could finally make his return — and with Florida running back Jadan Baugh coming to Austin, the timing is worth watching.

Terry was removed from Saturday's SEC availability report after being listed as probable Friday. Sophomore offensive lineman Jordan Coleman was also removed from the report.

It's the clearest indication yet that Texas could have Terry available after a toe injury sidelined him for four consecutive games.

The former five-star recruit hasn't played since the Longhorns' season opener against Texas State. He suffered the injury during warmups ahead of the September 12 meeting with Ohio State, then dressed but did not play against Oklahoma last weekend.

In his lone appearance this season, Terry recorded three tackles and a quarterback hurry. The 289-pound lineman appeared in 10 games as a freshman in 2025, including a four-tackle performance against Georgia that featured 1.5 tackles for loss.

Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has gotten plenty out of his front in Terry's absence.

Texas enters Saturday allowing 264.4 yards per game, the third-best mark in the SEC. Its 40 tackles for loss lead the conference — eight per contest.

But Baugh gives the Longhorns a different kind of assignment.

The Florida junior has rushed for 672 yards and an FBS-leading 12 touchdowns on 110 carries. He was named a second-team AP Midseason All-American on Thursday after opening the season with four consecutive games of at least 135 rushing yards.

READ MORE: Texas Faces Dangerous Florida Playmakers In Key SEC Showdown

His production has slowed since. Missouri held Baugh to 13 yards on 12 carries, and South Carolina limited him to 59 yards on 15 attempts.

That's 72 yards across two games … after he had averaged 150 through Florida's first four.

Texas will be looking for a similar result as it tries to recover from its first loss of the season. Terry's potential return would give Muschamp another option against a back who already has three games with three rushing touchdowns this fall.

The Longhorns still have absences to manage. Offensive lineman Jaydon Chatman and wide receiver Kaliq Lockett remain out, despite the positive news concerning Terry and Coleman.

READ MORE: Longhorns vs. Florida: How To Watch As Texas Aims For Bounce Back

Being removed from the availability report doesn't guarantee Terry will play. But after dressing against Oklahoma and watching from the sideline, he's closer to getting back in the rotation.

And should Muschamp give him the opportunity Saturday, Terry's first assignment in more than a month will come against the nation's leader in rushing touchdowns.