Only a couple of freshman redshirt decisions remain for the Texas Longhorns
Sixteen of the 2022 members of the Texas Longhorns’ 2024 signing class have seen the field during their first seasons in Austin, with many taking leading roles on a team that’s currently 9-1 and angling for a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game and the College Football Playoff.
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What decisions remain in front of Steve Sarkisian and company as far as whether or not to surpass the four-game threshold for certain players? Here’s a look at the freshman participation chart from this season.
Redshirt burnt
- EDGE Colin Simmons
- DB Kobe Black
- WR Ryan Wingo
- RB Jerrick Gibson
- LB Ty’Anthony Smith
- P Michael Kern
- DB Jordon Johnson-Rubell
- DT Alex January
- TE Jordan Washington
- OL Brandon Baker
- DB Xavier Filsaime
There was little to no reservation about maintaining redshirts in this group of players. Most have been needed this year, and several have become critical contributors on offense, defense, and special teams. There was little reason to think members of this group were going to be five-year players. Some of them may be in Austin just for three.
In the case of JJR, injuries suffered by Derek Williams and Andrew Mukuba made his services necessary early. Similar applied to Filsaime, who is behind Johnson-Rubell on the depth chart but trusted enough to play in games like the one versus Florida where the result was not in question.
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At the four-game limit
Redshirt needed
- QB Trey Owens (2)
- EDGE Zina Umeozulu (1)
- WR Aaron Butler (1)
Developmental years are good, just ask Arch Manning.
The talent ahead of Umeozulu right now doesn’t make redshirting a bad thing.
Butler saw action versus Florida.
Have not played and should redshirt
- DB Santana Wilson
- OL Daniel Cruz
- RB Christian Clark
- WR Freddie Dubose Jr.
- OL Nate Kibble
- DL Melvin Hills
There are a lot of quality players in this group but their positions are very crowded or there are injuries keeping them off the field. An extra development year doesn’t mean they are destined to be five-year players, just that they might need a little bit of work before they can take snaps of any sort in a game. It worked for Johnathon Brooks. It’s working for Hayden Conner.
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One last reminder: Conference championship games as well as College Football Playoff matchups don’t count toward the four-game limit. Participation within the 12-game regular season is what matters when looking to see if a redshirt is going to be burnt or not.
