Report: Texas DE Marqez Bimage expected to return in 2021

According to a report from Horns247 on Sunday, Texas Longhorns defensive end Marqez Bimage is expected to return to the program in 2021 after opting out of the 2020 season in August due to COVID-19 concerns.

With the loss of Jack linebacker Joseph Ossai to the 2021 NFL Draft as an early entrant, Texas is thin at the pass-rusher position.

A 6’2, 251-pounder and one-time Houston commit who followed Tom Herman to Austin in 2017, Bimage spent the offseason dropping weight to make the transition from playing heads up against offensive tackles to getting the opportunity to more frequently play on the edge. Ultimately, the Brenham product lost 20 pounds in an effort to capitalize on the flashes that he showed late in 2019 when he was able to use his speed and explosiveness against Texas Tech to force a strip-sack and add another quarterback hurry.

So Bimage, who can squat 700 pounds, was a potential breakout player following the departure of Malcolm Roach, which opened up the opportunity for Bimage to seriously compete for a starting job for the first time in his career.

Now Bimage will once again quality as a potential breakout player with the need at the Jack position.

At Texas, Bimage has appeared in 34 career games with 19 tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one sack, and one fumble recovery, with most of that production coming during the 2019 season.

He’s one of four players who opted out during the 2020 season, joining running back Daniel Young, wide receiver Dajon Harrison, and offensive lineman Willie Tyler. The plans of the other three players are not yet clear.