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Quarterly Report: Superlatives for Texas Football

On3 imageby:Justin Wells•09/21/22
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Kelvin Banks (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

After three games, Inside Texas looks at the early awards for both sides of the ball as they get ready to open Big 12 play in Lubbock vs Texas Tech on Saturday.

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MVP

Roschon Johnson, RB, Senior. This one was easy. When times have been good, Johnson has been a steady ship. When times have not been good, Johnson remains a steady ship. Whether it’s running between tackles, catching the ball in the flat, hurdling defenders, or playing RoCat for the offense, Johnson has been the most consistent force after three games, tallying 174 total yards and two touchdowns for the No. 22 Longhorns (2-1).

“We wouldn’t be where we’re at today without him, as a program or as a team, this season.” – Steve Sarkisian on Roschon Johnson

OFFENSIVE Player of the Year

Bijan Robinson, RB, Junior. The engine of the Texas offense has been running full bore over the first quarter of the season – 443 totals yards, six touchdowns. The future NFL first-round draft pick continues to pile up numbers, including eclipsing the 2,000-yard mark in only two and half seasons in Austin last Saturday vs UTSA.

“Right before the first play of the second half, I told (Bijan), ‘Just run through these guys,‘” Sarkisian said postgame. “‘Enough of the dancing in the hole and spinning and all this stuff. Just start running through ’em and you’re gonna hit a big one here.’”

OFFENSIVE Newcomer of the Year

Kelvin Banks, OL, Freshman. After taking the first-team reps early in fall camp, it was apparent the 6-foot-5, 320-pound On3 five-star was different. On3’s top-ranked tackle in the 2022 class gave up just one pressure and zero sacks in 45 pass blocking attempts against the No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide front, per PFF.

“Y’all haven’t asked me about Kelvin Banks since the first press conference. For offensive linemen, that’s usually a good thing.” Steve Sarkisian on Kelvin Banks

DEFENSIVE Player of the Year

Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, sophomore. The breakout candidate for the 2022 season so far is certainly Sorrell, who began the season with 1.5 sacks and one tackle for loss versus ULM. In three games, Sorrell has amassed 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three hurries, two tackles for loss, and one QB hit essentially bringing an edge presence to the defense, not to mention his development under Pete Kwiatkowski. Honorable mention goes to linebacker Jaylan Ford and his team-leading 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble.

“He’s not a twitchy pass rusher, but he moves well and will continue to improve his skill set. He also adds some versatility to blitz packages because he can occasionally drop into coverage. All this makes him a good fit for Jack outside linebacker in Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense.” – IT’s Eric Nahlin, on Sorrell

DEFENSIVE Newcomer of the Year

Ryan Watts, CB, junior. The Little Elm product and Ohio State transfer has blended in seamlessly for the Longhorns secondary. At 6-foot-3, he’s tough in coverage because of his size and length, but also resembles an outside linebacker when blitzing from the field side. Watts has collected nine tackles and one tackle-for loss for the Horns after three games, and been solid in coverage for the secondary.

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