Opportunity abounds for the nine fourth-year Texas Longhorns on the roster

The Texas Longhorns’ class of 2022 was Steve Sarkisian‘s first signed after a full cycle of him sitting in the head coach’s chair in Austin. Ranked as the No. 5 class by On3, the group featured 28 players who signed up to play for Sarkisian at Texas knowing the Southeastern Conference was on the horizon.

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Sixteen from that 28 transferred out, with some contributing while others never left the bench on the 40 Acres. Three players just declared for the upcoming NFL draft, skipping their senior seasons. That trio consists of Kelvin Banks, Jaydon Blue, and Cameron Williams.

Now just nine remain. While some are going to be key parts of Texas’ 2025 team like they were in 2024, others are looking to earn newfound playing time in the back half of their collegiate careers.

NFL (3): Kelvin Banks, Jaydon Blue, Cameron Williams

Transfer (16): Terrance Brooks, Brenen Thompson, BJ Allen Jr., Justice Finkley, J’Mond Tapp, Jaray Bledsoe, Kristopher Ross, Maalik Murphy, Austin Jordan, Aaron Bryant, Larry Turner-Gooden, Derrick Brown, Trevell Johnson, Xavion Brice, Zac Swanson, Savion Red

DJ Campbell, OL, JR

After splitting time with Cole Hutson earlier in their careers, Campbell is the only returning starter from the Longhorns’ 2024 offensive line. Campbell has already drawn positive reviews behind the scenes for his leadership ability and will be asked to be a significant part of Texas’ assumed switch to more gap scheme runs from his right guard position.

Neto Umeozulu, OL, JR

Campbell was the highest-rated member of Texas’ 2022 O-line class, with Banks right behind him. The third highest-rated O-lineman? Umeozulu, who has seen the fewest snaps out of all of his classmates.

The 6-foot-4, 327-pound junior with younger twin brothers Ziky and Zina on the team has played in 13 career games but only in garbage time (he is listed as having participated in the Cotton Bowl versus Ohio State, but it’s not clear if he actually made it in the game).

The path to playing time has had multiple players ahead of him in the past few seasons, but there are as few obstacles as ever to the left guard spot on the 2025 offensive line.

The chance to play alongside two or more of his classmates as a developed fourth-year player and strengthen Texas’ likely switch to more gap-scheme runs is there for Umeozulu, but some position dynamics could interrupt that vision if he doesn’t solidify himself as needed personnel.

More on that later.

Jaylon Guilbeau, CB, SR

Guilbeau is looking to capitalize off of the same switch Jahdae Barron made in moving from Star to corner. Guilbeau hopes to succeed Barron, who left big shoes to fill as he heads off to the first round of the NFL Draft.

Guilbeau’s veteran presence is key at a cornerback position often charged not only with guarding the best wide receiver on the field, but also factoring into the run game as an extra edge defender on rushes to the short side. He has a chance to join other boundary corners like Barron and Ryan Watts in the NFL with a strong senior season.

Ethan Burke, EDGE, SR

Exit Barryn Sorrell at Jack. Enter Burke. The position is his as the Longhorns enter 2025. A multi-year contributor who has made important plays in his career, including leading the goal-line stop at Texas A&M, the Austin (Texas) Westlake product will be looked to for major contributions holding down the field-side EDGE position.

Malik Agbo, OL/TE, JR

If the Longhorns elect to put him on the field wearing No. 80 as opposed to No. 67, he can line up as an eligible receiver at tight end while still providing offensive lineman blocking. It’s his easiest path to playing time, though Jaydon Chatman is another name to know for that role.

Cole Hutson, OL, SR

Hutson has either held a starting role or split one with Campbell during the first three years of his career. Entering the 2025 season, he has the chance to have a spot all to himself at center. He’s assured to have one of the interior spots in the upcoming season, but which one may depend on the next player mentioned.

Connor Robertson, OL, JR

Robertson profiled to center and center alone in the 2022 class, especially with Campbell, Umeozulu, and Hutson around him. He’s seen time at the position in meaningful games, namely a 2023 Red River Shootout where he was called into action to replace Jake Majors, but that stands as the only example of an extended opportunity.

Can he make the center position his? If he beats Hutson out at center, it’s likely Hutson finds another interior spot at left guard and Campbell remains at his normal right guard spot. That’d send Umeozulu to the ‘next man up’ role.

Will Stone, K, SR

Stone has been the Longhorns’ kickoff specialist since he arrived on campus. But Bert Auburn‘s struggles at the end of the 2024 season created opportunity for Stone. Though he didn’t get a field goal attempt in meaningful moments in the 2024 season, Stone kicked both extra points during the Longhorns’ loss to Ohio State. That was a sign he had taken over as the Longhorns place kicker in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

Make no mistake: Stone is in a position battle.

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Lance St. Louis, DS, SR

If you haven’t heard of your team’s deep snapper, he’s doing his job and doing it well.