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Texas football roster countdown: Nos. 24-20

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•08/11/24•

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Jaydon Blue
Jaydon Blue (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

The Texas Longhorns season is now less than three weeks away. As Steve Sarkisian and company prepare for their opener against Colorado State, Inside Texas looks at the players wearing Nos. 24-20 to continue our series as we approach kickoff on August 31.

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No. 24 – DB Warren Roberson, RS FR

Roberson received some run with the second team at cornerback during recent practice viewing windows, working in tandem with Kobe Black. Long highly thought of for his athleticism, Roberson should contend for playing time this year as one of Texas’ rotated defensive backs while serving some role on special teams.

No. 23 – DB Jordon Johnson-Rubell, FR

Johnson-Rubell enrolled early and likely has a future playing the Star position in Texas’ defense. With veterans ahead of him like Jahdae Barron and Jaylon Guilbeau, Johnson-Rubell’s standard down action could be limited this year.

No. 23 – RB Jaydon Blue, JR

The complexion of Texas’ 2024 season changed drastically this week, and that was especially true on a personal level for Blue. Thought to be splitting carries with CJ Baxter, Blue will assuredly receive more carries and function as Texas’ RB1 with Baxter lost for the 2024 campaign. Blue earned trust last season when his workload increased in the wake of Jonathon Brooks’ injury. He’ll be tasked with a complete workload, not just outside runs meant to put him in a position to utilize his speed. Between-the-tackles efforts for the 6-foot-0, 200-pounder will be needed just as much has his pass-catching ability.

Blue mentioned recently he saw it took one year for Brooks to reach his NFL dreams. Blue wants to replicate that feat and has an opportunity to do so this season.

No. 22 – Retired for Bobby Layne

Layne finished his Texas career with 3145 passing yards and 25 touchdowns and earned consensus All-America honors in 1947. He was key in helping the Longhorn football program become one of the national powerhouses of the late 1940s and into the 1960s. Layne went on to a successful NFL career spent mostly with the Detroit Lions, where he won two NFL championships.

No. 21 – DB Xavier Filsaime, FR

Filsaime, a flip from Florida, is contending with other veteran players for snaps at the safety position. Those snaps may be hard to come by but expect Filsaime to be a plus contributor during his Texas career.

No. 20 – Retired for Earl Campbell

Campbell inked with UT’s Class of 1974 and made an immediate impact. The 1977 Heisman Trophy winner, when he led nation in rushing (1,744 yards), Campbell rushed for 100-plus yards 10 times as a senior.

The East Texas native was named All-American in 1975 and 1977 and a three-time All-SWC selection, along with team captain and team MVP in 1977. He finished his college career with 4,443 rushing yards at Texas.

Campbell was the first pick in 1978 NFL draft by Houston Oilers, and went on to a stellar pro career with Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints, garnering 1978 NFL Rookie of the Year honors and five-time All-Pro appearances. His career totals include 9,407 yards and 74 touchdowns and is a member of NFL Hall of Fame.

Campbell has served UT as Special Assistant to Vice President for Student Affairs since 1987.

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