Top five Texas football true freshmen who could make an immediate impact in 2024
Texas’ 2024 signing class ranked No. 6 in the On3 rankings and featured some of the top talent from Texas and around the country.
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Those players understood when they inked with Texas that the Longhorn roster they were joining was already one of the more talented in the country. Playing time was available at some positions, but ahead of 2024 not every depth chart was wide open.
Even so, some true freshmen will have the chance to make their presence known during their first season on the 40 Acres. Here are the top five true freshmen who could make an immediate impact in 2024.
Honorable mention: Michael Kern
The Longhorns did not bring in a transfer punter ahead of the 2024 season and Steve Sarkisian has spoken with confidence about Kern’s ability to impact special teams during his first season on the 40 Acres.
5. Alex January, DT
Texas took in three transfers at defensive tackle while returning a handful of players who saw snaps at DT last season even with T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy leading the way. Players who have January’s size, even at a young age, aren’t easy to come by. January might see a handful of regular snaps a game to provide breathers for the starters but look for him to be a part of Texas’ efforts on special teams, specifically FG block.
4. Jordan Washington, TE
Criminally underrated by most of the services, the glimpses fans saw of Washington in the Orange-White Game were great previews of the freshman tight end’s game. Listed at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Washington’s development as a blocker this year will determine how much time he sees. There are experienced veterans like Gunnar Helm and Amari Niblack ahead of him, but a strong preseason could be Washington’s avenue to standard down playing time.
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3. Kobe Black, CB
One of the main reasons Black committed to Texas was because he saw himself playing the role Ryan Watts was in during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. While Malik Muhammad is first in the pecking order at this juncture, and while versatility provided by Jahdae Barron and Jaylon Guilbeau could see them playing boundary corner, Black has the physical tools to compete early. If standard down snaps are difficult to come by then he will have plenty of chances to impact special teams like all the aforementioned defensive backs.
2. Colin Simmons, EDGE
The highest-ranked member of Texas’ 2024 class, Simmons brings five-star potential to the EDGE position that hasn’t been seen in Austin in some time. One of the reasons the Texas EDGE room is so talented is because of Simmons. Trey Moore and even Ethan Burke will compete with Simmons for snaps, likely at Buck, but the pass-rush capabilities of the true freshman from Duncanville will earn Simmons time on the field during his first season.
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1. Ryan Wingo, WR
No freshman was talked about more during the spring than Wingo. A 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, Wingo was the talk of coaches and players alike prior to the Orange-White game where he showed off in front of a crowd. Wingo, along with some of the transfer and returning wide receivers, have forced Sarkisian to consider expanding his wideout rotation. Look for Wingo to be a part of the offense early and often this year.
