Texas football roster countdown: Nos. 19-15

The Texas Longhorns are just over two weeks away from kicking off the 2024 season against the Colorado State Rams. As we approach single digits rapidly, Inside Texas looks at some of the players on offense, defense, and special teams that wear Nos. 19-15.

[Sign up for Inside Texas and get the BEST Longhorns scoop!]

• Roster countdown: Nos. 99-95
• Roster countdown: Nos. 94-85
• Roster countdown: Nos. 84-80
• Roster countdown: Nos. 79-75
• Roster countdown: Nos. 74-70
• Roster countdown: Nos. 69-65
• Roster countdown: Nos. 64-60
• Roster countdown: Nos. 59-55
• Roster countdown: Nos. 54-50
• Roster countdown: New additions previous editions missed
• Roster countdown: Nos. 49-40
• Roster countdown: Nos. 39-35
• Roster countdown: Nos. 34-25
• Roster countdown: Nos. 24-20

No. 19 – EDGE Zina Umeozulu, FR

Umeozulu would not look out of place on a field this year but with the depth at EDGE the Longhorns possess extended playing time for the little brother of Neto will be tough to come by save for in large blowouts.

No. 19 – QB Cole Lourd, SR

Lourd has been a steady presence in the Texas quarterback room for several years now and also been one of the main leaders on the scout team. While playing time has yet to pop up for Lourd, he’s a key part in the Longhorns’ weekly preparation and may be rewarded with a few snaps this year.

No. 18 – QB Joe Tatum, JR

Tatum is behind Lourd in the walk-on QB pecking order. He also provides value as a quality player for the scout team.

No. 18 – WR Ryan Niblett, RS FR

Niblett saw action three times last year in blowout wins over Rice, BYU, and Oklahoma State. As it stands currently, he hasn’t worked his way into the upper tier of the wide receiver room with players like Isaiah Bond, Ryan Wingo, Silas Bolden, Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore, and Matthew Golden ahead of him.

He should see opportunities to use his speed on special teams.

No. 18 – LB Liona Lefau, SO

“Liona is such a do-right player,” Steve Sarkisian said this week. “He’s always spot on with what he’s supposed to do, run fits, pass coverage, special teams. The thing that I’ve been impressed with him this year as opposed to his true freshman year, I really feel like he’s cutting it loose more. He’s confident in knowing what he needs to do. He’s letting it go. In turn, I think he’s in and around the ball more often than he was a year ago. That’s been impressive.”

Lefau will see back-up snaps at Mike and be a factor on special teams.

No. 17 – Not issued

No. 17 was last worn by Savion Red and J’Mond Tapp. Both transferred out of the program after the 2023 season.

No. 16 – DB Michael Taaffe, JR

Taaffe will either start or make regular contributions at safety for the Longhorns. He spoke about his expectations for the upcoming season on Thursday.

No. 16 – QB Arch Manning, RS FR

The most famous back-up quarterback in America, Manning returns for his second season in Austin after he was behind Quinn Ewers and Maalik Murphy for nearly all of last year. Manning’s time in 2023 was limited to blowout opportunities in games against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. He didn’t “wow” then, but he did so in the 2024 Orange-White Game with a performance that quickly put to bed any idea that he was ranked highly solely because of his last name or other associated and ridiculous accusations.

Manning is a player Sarkisian has said will receive playing time this year as part of an effort to put more of the roster into games as Texas looks to traverse a lengthy season with a 12-team playoff run. He’s no threat to unseat Ewers but the Longhorn offense would not see a steep drop-off if Manning were inserted into the game.

Manning’s story may not be written in the exact way many expected, but his opportunity will come this year ahead of when he assuredly receives the keys next season.

No. 15 – K Will Stone, JR

The lefty has done everything Jeff Banks has asked as the Longhorns’ kickoff specialist. Should anything happen to Bert Auburn, Stone presents a quality back-up option.

No. 15 – QB Trey Owens, FR

Manning wasn’t the only Texas quarterback to impress in the Orange-White Game. Owens put together a strong performance of his own, offering a few long touchdown passes and confident throws against the Texas defense.

Unlike Manning, Owens won’t be asked to do a whole lot in game this year except for when Texas has a large lead.

Sarkisian has indicated the program’s internal evaluation on Owens painted a rosier picture than the one many recruiting services did when ranking Owens as a prospect outside their top 300. A year developing and taking advantage of practice opportunities will be in the best interest of the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder.

[Subscribe to the Inside Texas YouTube channel and help get us to 10,000 subs!]

No. 15- DT Bill Norton, SR

Norton will be part of Texas’ defensive tackle rotation along with Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton. A difficult-to-move former top-200 recruit, Norton checks in at 6-foot-6, 335 pounds. Entering his last season, Norton will provide quality play and experience in the trenches, an area with much more attention in the SEC.