49 days until Texas Football: Thatcher Milton leads the UT walk-on wideout corps
Inside Texas is putting a new twist on long-time photographer Will Gallagher’s time-honored countdown to Texas football kickoff. In addition to Will’s great pictures, the Inside Texas staff will go through every player on the roster by jersey number and offer a season outlook on each, from five-star to walk-on.
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We’ll also look back at other greats to wear that day’s number, with special reverence to some of Texas’ best.
Today is 49 days until kickoff. No. 49 for the Longhorns this season will be worn by Thatcher Milton, a junior walk-on wide receiver
Thatcher Milton season outlook
Milton earned mention this past week thanks to a typo on his roster profile that listed him at an unimaginable weight.
But Milton should be recognized for something other than a mistake made while entering data. During spring practices, Milton ran third behind AD Mitchell and Casey Cain at boundary wide receiver. Isaiah Neyor’s return may bump him to fourth, but Milton working with the third string is an opportunity to truly highlight some of the pass-catchers responsible for giving Texas defensive backs a challenge during game prep.
Milton made the switch from defensive back to wideout himself, so he has an idea of what receivers need to work on. Other walk-ons who are in Chris Jackson’s wideout room?
Rett Andersen: A multi-sport star for Alamo Heights, Andersen caught double-digit touchdown passes for the Mules in 2022.
Quinn Merritt: A two-way player in Los Gatos, Calif., Merritt was an all-division selection as part of a 10-1 team.
Bryce Chambers: In a Westlake wide receiver corps that included Jaden Greathouse, Chambers tallied at least five touchdowns in 2022 and recorded a 100-yard game versus North Shore in the 6A playoffs.
Remy Patson: Austin (Texas) Regents recorded a 22-1 record with Patson on the squad.
Hamilton McMartin: A Katy (Texas) defensive back turned wideout, McMartin was all-district at the 6A level during his senior season.
Reece Beauchamp: Recorded a 1,045-yard, 17-touchdown season for Austin (Texas) Vandegrift in 2021.
Paxton Anderson: The grandson of Jerry Jones has earned playing time on several occasions, including each of the last three season-openers.
Ty Boatright: Boatright was a three-year varsity player for Kingwood (Texas).
Recent player to wear No. 49: Ta’Quon Graham
Graham appeared in 48 games for the Longhorns from 2017 to 2020, bouncing between several defensive line positions. He was picked with the 148th overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
All-Americans to wear No. 49
Jack Collins, HB, 1959
