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2022 Texas Longhorns Midseason Awards

On3 imageby:Justin Wells•10/12/22
kelvin-banks-on-the-move
Quinn Ewers, Kelvin Banks (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

At the midway point of the 2022 season, Inside Texas issues midseason superlatives for the No. 22 Texas Longhorns prior to the second half of Steve Sarkisian’s second campaign.

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MVP: Bijan Robinson

The junior running back has been everything the Longhorns needed and more. He’s been fantastic behind an offensive line with two true freshman starters in Kelvin Banks and Cole Hutson, regardless of whether Quinn Ewers or Hudson Card was at quarterback. Robinson has rushed for 645 yards and 10 touchdowns on 110 carries, and has 203 receiving yards on 12 receptions with one touchdown catch. He should be getting more Heisman love.

Offensive Player of the Year: Xavier Worthy

The sophomore wide receiver surprised the college football landscape in 2021 with his 12-touchdown, all-world freshman campaign. He hasn’t let up in Year 2. The 6-foot-1, 164-pound first-team All-Big 12 preseason selection has accounted for 360 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 24 catches, including 130 yards after the catch, in spite of constant double teams.

Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Kelvin Banks

Starting a true freshman at left tackle is often a recipe for disaster. Not when that true freshman is Kelvin Banks. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder from Humble (Texas) Summer Creek has been a fixture on the Longhorn offensive line in 2022. He’s among the Longhorns’ top 10 offensive players according to PFF, minimum 100 snaps.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jerrin Thompson

This one was tough because there are a number of names that win this award. But if you look closely, Thompson has been superb in his junior season at field safety. He grades out as the No. 4 player on the UT defense according to PFF, minimum of 100 snaps. The third-year defensive back has asserted himself as the quarterback of the Horns’ defensive backfield, notching 42 tackles and two pass breakups for the Longhorn defense.

Defense Newcomer of the Year: Ryan Watts

The Little Elm (Texas) product and Ohio State transfer has fit in seamlessly within the Texas defense. At 6-foot-3, 206 pounds, Watts has 22 tackles, eight assisted, and three pass breakups so far in 2022. His coverage skills have been exactly what Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and the Horns needed. Watts is likely an early leader for Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors.

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