OTF Premium Which redshirt freshmen are ready to help Texas in 2025?

[Jeff Howe]

 

Texas saw 11 members of the 2024 signing class play in four or fewer regular-season games last season (conference championship games, bowl games and College Football Playoff games no longer count against a player’s eligibility). That’s 11 redshirt freshmen on the roster for the coming season, a group that doesn’t include the likes of Xavier Filsaime or Jordan Washington (both are rising sophomores after playing in five games during the regular season).

Which of the 11 could have the biggest impact on the field for the Longhorns in 2025? I ranked them in order from the player I expect the least from to the redshirt freshman with the best chance to make a splash in the program’s second SEC campaign.

11. Freddie Dubose, WR: I can’t remember a practice I attended at various points throughout the season when Dubose was an active participant. The Smithson Valley product is at risk of getting lost in the shuffle with Jaime Ffrench, Kaliq Lockett and Daylan McCutcheon on campus.

10. Aaron Butler, WR: After signing with the Longhorns before making a campus visit, Butler’s best chance to carve out a role might be in the return game.

9. Melvin Hills III, DL: The Lafayette, La. native will compete with Myron Charles and Josiah Sharma for snaps. He was a Bo Davis take and doesn’t look like the guys Kenny Baker has targeted since joining the coaching staff.

8. Wardell Mack, CB: Mack showed with his toe-tap interception in the back of the end zone against Colorado State that he has the tools to play in the secondary. The John Ehret (La.) product needs the staff to help him put it together.

7. Santana Wilson, CB: With Texas playing more coverage after Johnny Nansen helped introduce it last season, I like Wilson’s chances to compete for playing time either with Kobe Black or behind Malik Muhammad.

6. Zina Umeozulu, EDGE: There are a lot of bodies in front of the Allen product. Nevertheless, he might have the highest ceiling of any Longhorn EDGE (other than Colin Simmons).

5. Daniel Cruz, OC: The ranking has nothing to do with Cruz’s talent. The North Richland Hills native might be best served by sitting behind Cole Hutson for one more season while competing with Connor Robertson for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. 

4. Nate Kibble, OG: The 6-foot-3-inch, 320-pound Humble Atascocita product has generated a lot of buzz behind the scenes. Don’t be surprised if he’s the No. 3 guard who pushes DJ Campbell and Neto Umeozulu to get on the field.

3. Trey Owens, QB: The backup quarterback has started at least one game every season of Steve Sarkisian’s tenure. Unlike last season, when he was the No. 3 guy behind Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, Owens is one snap away from being placed at the controls of Sarkisian’s offense.

2. Parker Livingstone, WR: Every time the subject of someone stepping up to the level where DeAndre Moore Jr. and Ryan Wingo will be at the start of spring practice is broached, Livingstone’s name comes up. I’m ready for the substance to back up the hype.

1. Brandon Baker, OT: I’m in the group of people who assume Baker will slide into the right tackle job previously occupied by Cam Williams. With that said, Baker has to fend off Andre Cojoe and play up to his billing for Texas to adequately replace one of the top offensive tackle tandems in the country in 2024.

[Jeff Howe]

I would've had Cruz higher because I love his potential, but I don't think the coaches want to rush him.

[TexasFanatic]

I think Aaron Butler will be in the two deep. 
 

[sb23]

Washington played in 5 games? 

[Jeff Howe]

4 minutes ago, sb23 said:

Washington played in 5 games? 

Yep. Colorado State, UTSA, ULM, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.

[NothinButDaHorns34]

I think it’s going to put up or shut up time for Freddie, livingstone and Aaron with Kaliq and Ffrench on campus. 

[Thisrowyellssorry]

What are we missing on Aaron Butler? His film was tantalizing, he’s obviously putting the work in, and we need receivers with speed and wiggle. Why does it sound like he’s being written off?

[Jeff Howe]

5 minutes ago, Thisrowyellssorry said:

What are we missing on Aaron Butler? His film was tantalizing, he’s obviously putting the work in, and we need receivers with speed and wiggle. Why does it sound like he’s being written off?

Word is (and from what we’ve seen) his hands aren’t consistent.

[Jeff Howe]

11 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

I think it’s going to put up or shut up time for Freddie, livingstone and Aaron with Kaliq and Ffrench on campus. 

Don’t forget McCutcheon. He’ll be a factor.

[Hornmatic]

6 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

Word is (and from what we’ve seen) his hands aren’t consistent.

I don’t like that for the return game. 

[Thisrowyellssorry]

Appreciate the clarity there Jeff. For my part, I’m gonna leave the light on for the young man. Hope he maximizes his offseason and winds up contributing, he has an explosive skill set we’d love to use this season. And likewise I hope Deandre Moore takes a similar step with his consistency, kid is a burner and hard worker in the mold of old JWhitt.

[thatdude2]

21 hours ago, Jeff Howe said:

Word is (and from what we’ve seen) his hands aren’t consistent.

That’s what Jordan Poole said to Draymond Green in practice.

[thatdude2]

I don’t have any inside info, but Melvin Hills imo should be in the top 5. Those 3 DTs transferred out for a reason, and Sark cancelling the Spring Game because he doesn’t want tOSU to be ready for Melvin Hills coming. That’s my conspiracy theory and .02.