Texas DC Todd Orlando on Mason Rudolph: ‘He Has Unbelievable Touch on the Deep Ball’

Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando knows the definition of baptism by fire. He’s had his hands full during his first half-season in Austin. He watched his defense debut with an embarrassing 51-41 loss to Maryland at home but then he captained it back on track. The Longhorns now rank toward the top of the Big 12 in several defensive statistics including points per drive allowed, defensive efficiency and PPR.

And Orlando’s done it against some pretty good offenses with some elite-level quarterbacks. The Horns pushed Sam Darnold and USC to two overtimes on their home field and last week it corralled Baker Mayfield and the Sooners while holding him to a season-low 63-percent completion rate and forcing the crimson QB into his first interception of the year. Both of those signal callers seem like shoe-ins to be NFL rookies in less than 12 months — and right now he’s scheming for a third.

Ahead of this weekend’s bout in Austin, Orlando was asked about Mason Rudolph and how he stacks up to a couple of the nation’s best QBs he’s already faced.

“Physically, he’s the biggest,” Orlando said. “But in terms of throwing the ball down the field, he’s the most dynamic of them. There has to be like 14-15 30-yard throws in a game, which is unheard of. Normally you take four or five shots and call it a day.”

Rudolph is not only the nation’s leading passer at 394.7 yards per game, he’s also the captain of an offense that’s completed more passing plays of at least 30 yards (25) than anyone else. Move that distance to 40 yards and the Cowboys are still No. 1 with 15.

“He must have to rest his arm every other day in my opinion because of the throws that he makes but he has unbelievable touch on the deep ball,” said Orlando. “That’s where he’s exceptional. That he gives his guys a chance to make a play every time the ball goes up in the air and he’s very accurate. ”

Mike Gundy wishes Rudolph would follow Orlando’s suggestion when it comes to rest. But he knows when to pick his battles, “He won’t listen anyway, does what he wants to do.”

Orlando went on about QB1 and the pair of fellow Heisman hopefuls his group has had to defend during his first six games in burnt orange.

“I think that’s where they’re all similar,” said Orlando. “They all know their system. They’re all extremely bright. They don’t need a coach making calls. That’s what makes all three of the quarterbacks great.

“But his ability to throw the deep ball, in my opinion, is what separates him from the two other guys.”