Malik Muhammad is the quiet cornerstone of Texas’ cornerback group, stepping into a familiar starter role after last year’s 16-game run in a deep, talent-rich unit. Surrounded by Jahdae Barron, Michael Taaffe and Andrew Mukuba before their NFL departures, Muhammad leaned into technique, ceiling-ambition and ball-tracking, earning preseason SEC recognition while rotating into a critical coverage role. He’s training hard, flirting with a true NFL contract-year edge, and eyeing a breakout that could elevate UT’s pass defense and his own draft stock. The season opener with Ohio State will be Muhammad’s first true test against top-tier talent like Jeremiah Smith, and the Texas secondary benefits from the return of DBU architect Duane Akina, who can sharpen instincts, alignment, and takeaways. Expect Muhammad to cement himself as a top-flight cover man, with improvements in ball skills and consistency that could push him into late first-round consideration if the ball comes his way more often.