52 days until Texas Football: DJ Campbell looking for a larger role in Year 2
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 52 days until kickoff. No. 52 for the Longhorns this season will be worn by DJ Campbell, a sophomore offensive lineman, and Tate Haver, a freshman deep snapper.
DJ Campbell season outlook
Campbell was the highest-rated member in Texas’ 2022 signing class according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Not surprisingly, he earned meaningful playing time in the second half of his freshman season. He had at least 10 snaps at right guard in Cole Hutson‘s stead in five of the final six games, and at least 20 snaps at in the last three contests.
Physically gifted, becoming more assignment sound in both run and pass blocking was Campbell’s offseason goal. With Hutson a possible option at center, right guard could be Campbell’s spot to claim. He’s made steady progress toward doing that during summer workouts.
Campbell’s performance in preseason camp and Kyle Flood’s personnel decisions will determine whether No. 52 is one of the first five or again is next-man-up on the interior. The former seems to have a better chance of happening by the day for one of the more talented players in the program whose technical ability seems to be catching up with his physical gifts.
DJ Campbell as a recruit
Campbell was ranked as the No. 11 overall prospect, the No. 1 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 3 player in Texas in the 2022 On3 Consensus, is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
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On3 ranked Campbell as the No. 34 overall prospect, the No. 1 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 7 player in Texas.
Tate Haver season outlook
Haver is likely to backup Lance St. Louis at deep snapper this season.
Recent player to wear No. 52: Sam Cosmi
Cosmi played in 35 career games with 34 starts in his four years at Texas. He was named a second-team All-American by CBS Sports and was a two-time All-Big 12 selection (2019 Second Team, 2020 First Team).
Cosmi earned honorable mention as Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2019 and 2020 and was an honorable mention as Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2018. He was a preseason All-American by the Associated Press, Athlon Sports, CBS Sports, USA Today and Walter Camp in 2020 after being a USA Today Freshman All-American in 2018.
Cosmi was selected to the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team in 2020 and was a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (fall 2019, spring 2020).
All-Americans to wear No. 52
Sam Cosmi, OL, 2020
Steve Habel co-authored this story
