Projecting end-of-season stats for the Texas Longhorns
It’s no question that this season’s 6-0 start has been special for the Texas Longhorns. This season has been historic for several reasons, specifically when taking a look at the statistics.
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With a Steve Sarkisian-coached team, great offenses are the expectation and this year’s team is no exception averaging 43.2 points per game. But where Texas jumps off the page is with its defensive stats, giving up only 6.3 points per game. The Longhorns are also first in opponent yards per game, points per play, yards per play and opponent redzone scoring percentage.
It’s safe to say this defense is elite thanks to the efforts of Pete Kwiatkowski.
What about individual statistics at the season’s midway point? Let’s have a look at some of the stars of this year’s team that have led Texas to a hot start and project where they might finish statistically.
Quinn Ewers has 890 passing yards and 9 touchdowns in only 3.5 games. Assuming Texas plays at least 14 games this season, a reasonable projection for Ewers is 2,900 yards and 25 TDs with 6 INTs.
Running back has been more of a committee effort as expected after CJ Baxter went down in camp.
Quintrevion Wisner has rushed for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns at 6.2 YPC. Jaydon Blue is at 268 yards and four touchdowns at 4.4 YPC. Jerrick Gibson has rushed for 227 yards and three scores at 4.7 YPC.
Blue was the de facto “go to guy” after Baxter’s injury, but after a couple fumbles against Mississippi State, Wisner grabbed the spotlight against Oklahoma. Wisner averaged nine yards a carry and scored a sensational touchdown in Red River.
With all that being said, here is a prediction for the end-of-season totals for Texas’ running backs: Wisner for 750 yards and 6 TDs, Blue for 699 yards and 7 TDs, and Gibson for 505 yards and 5 TDs.
The receivers have written a similar story to the running back room with lots of good players contributing. Any of these guys could finish with 700-800 yards, but who could’ve seen Gunnar Helm being 2nd on the team in receiving halfway through the season?
Isaiah Bond has 369 yards and 3 TDs, IT projects he’ll finish the season with 808 and 8 TDs. Helm has 311 yards and 2 TDs, he is on track to finish with 712 yards and 6 TDs.
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Ryan Wingo has 296 yards and 2 TDs, likely setting himself up for a year with for 603 yards and 5 TDs at season’s end. Matthew Golden has 246 yards receiving yards and 3 TDs, he is on the way in IT’s opinion for 479 and 6 TDs.
On defense we’ll stick to the pass rush for projections. There was a lot of talk early in the season about this front not getting enough sacks but finally those pressures have turned into actual sacks and TFLs.
At the midway point of the season, Anthony Hill Jr. leads the team in sacks with 4.5 and tackles with 42. Final season projection? Seven sacks and 76 tackles.
Next is Colin Simmons with 4 sacks and 23 tackles, IT predicts he will finish with 51 tackles and 7.5 sacks.
Barryn Sorrell has 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks: Final season projection: 35 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
This pass rush will continue to pick up steam as the season gets deeper and the front has more opportunities to pin their ears back and eat, in games against weak offensive lines like Kentucky later in the year.
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All of these key players among many others not listed above have contributed to Texas having its best start in 15 years and being a favorite against a program who hasn’t been an underdog in a game since 2021. Expect these players to build upon their early success work toward a 6-0 record in the back half of the season.
