Texas 2025 Spring Camp Series: Questions loom for talented yet inexperienced WR group

Along with a hefty amount of pollen, spring is in the air. The Texas Football program is currently on spring break ahead of the official start of spring ball on Tuesday, March 25th. 

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With so many new players in the program, whether added from the transfer portal or high school, what better time to assess what we hope to learn at each position group over the next month and change?

The loss of so much talent to the NFL creates plenty of angles to assess, so let’s get to assessin’.

Defensive Tackles
Wide Receivers

Let’s continue with the wide receivers, a group as talented as any in the country, but one lacking in experience.

The Only Upperclassmen

This morning, Ian Boyd wrote, ‘Why DeAndre Moore is key to Texas’ 2025 offensive strategy‘. That might sound hyperbolic to some, and we do call him contrarIAN for a reason, but he’s largely on point here.

Since the moment Moore arrived on campus and started working out, our inside info has foreshadowed a player destined to breakout at some point. The lightbulb moment was when we heard about his speed being darn near elite.

A light bulb moment even before that was learning of the lengths Texas went to flip Moore from Louisville at the last minute.

Moore is right on time for a third-year breakout for the third year in a row in Austin. Before him it was Adonai Mitchell in 2023 and Matthew Golden in 2024.

While Moore will miss the spring that, won’t be a concern for his development. He and Arch Manning have clicked since the moment they arrived on campus together as third-stringers. We already saw glimpses of that when the combo lit up Mississippi State.

The X-Factor

It’s a matter of when, not if, Ryan Wingo becomes a college superstar. The sooner the better for Sark the Playcaller and Manning. Wingo’s first year both tantalized and frustrated. His number could have been called more often, though it was clear at times he and Quinn Ewers weren’t always on the same page.

Wingo is a threat at all three levels. As a receiver, he has the ability to win every single way—off the line of scrimmage with footwork or strength, with vertical speed, by using his body, by climbing the ladder, etc. He can win before the catch and he can devastate after the catch with his acceleration and top-end speed. The sophomore is hell on wheels after the catch.

For the spring practice bloc we want to hear that he and Manning are developing telepathy and Wingo is giving quality cornerbacks trouble. I expect that to be the case as he works from the boundary.

A breakout is more likely than not this year, though his superstar year may have to wait a full calendar.

Blazing Redshirts

Parker Livingstone and Aaron Butler are two of the five fastest players on the team. Though they lack game experience, they have impressed on the practice field. They need to grow up in a hurry to keep the talented freshmen at bay. A year head start is a real advantage.

Livingstone was next man up at receiver last year if there was another injury at the position. He’s going to play this season, the question is how much. A consistent spring of doing the little things right and making some big plays will boost his stock further. He’s likely the second fastest player on the team, as measured by miles per hour, behind only Ryan Niblett.

Butler is known for his speed, route running, and hands. The lone question is reading coverages and being on the same page with the quarterback. More reps will go a long way.

One or both of Livingstone and Butler could have a breakout spring.

IT hasn’t heard much about Freddie Dubose after he missed last season.

Dynamic Freshman Trio

Each one of the highly rated trio is capable of going off in practice and earning high remarks from sources.

Daylan McCutcheon has already been called polished and a bigger DeAndre Moore; Jaime Ffrench has been called incredibly explosive in his first couple steps; and Kaliq Lockett is already said to be where incompletions go to die. Basically, their high school traits are transitioning well to college.

With Moore out for the spring, McCutcheon has an exceptional opportunity to develop in the slot. Ffrench may get some looks there, too.

Lockett profiles best to backing up Wingo at the boundary but too many underestimate his speed to play towards the field if need be. If he’s ready, Sark will get him on the field regardless.

After the spring, we’ll asses which of the three is most ready for snaps against the Buckeyes.

In Closing

The parts likely fit thusly: Wingo and Lockett at boundary, McCutcheon and Ffrench in the slot, and Livingstone and Butler to the field.

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Even with all this talent and upside, due to lack of experience, IT still fully expects Texas to add a good receiver through the portal.