Five 2024 Spring Ball Breakout Candidates

I didn’t even realize deandre got ANY snaps last season. 

This is the type of development and growth Texas needs to see on a regular basis. UT will draw more recruits in future if more sophomores morph into strong players and potential NFL talent down the road. Good piece C J.

These are 5 players I'm excited to track as well. Thanks for sharing, CJ

Great write up, totally agree!

Wonder if the aggies will give Trev Alberts Jimbo's blank national championship trophy??

A friend of mine who see practices told me last fall that there are times when Bledsoe is unblockable. He said his weight was the only thing holding him up.

Of those mentioned Bledsoe is the one who must make the leap as Texas D Line group is woefully short on experience and to a degree depth.  Letting teams stay in games that the Longhorns should have blown out see houston Rice etc cost the guys on roster opportunities in real games to develop. Just my opinion. 

We have the talent but what is it going to take in key games next season to put us in a position to win a Natty, without a Superstar like VY.

Can't wait for this season.  Here's hoping we have more than 5 breakout players coming out of spring! 🙂

For a little spin on the article, instead of the 5 players most likely to breakout, if you could pick 5 players whose breakouts would have the biggest positive impact on the '24 season, who ya got?

My list:

1. Sydir - IMO, the one player whose breakout could singlehandedly take our D from a top-35 squad to a top-5. Would allow PK to unleash Alfred and the edges, maximize pass rush, clog the middle, make the LBs jobs easy. 

2. Cam Williams - solidify the RT position and our OL becomes instant Joe Moore Award finalists. 

3. Lefau/Gullette - need one of these young guys to step up. An injury to Hill would be devastating. 

4. Terrance Brooks - I feel great about MM's trajectory. But if Brooks can take his game up a level or two where MM's viewed as our "#2 CB" - scary!

5. Blue - Probably should've gone with D. Williams here, but I can't help but think of word out of spring camp is that Blue has separated himself and taken his game to another level, he could become the most explosive RB we've had since Jamaal Charles... and our O would be humming. 

Honorable mentions: Derek Williams (improved S play will be vital), Cook (I feel great about our WR depth, but if he can step up to the challenge and make the transfers the 1B to his 1A, then that means he's future 1st round talent), Niblack (we know what we have in Helm - an underrated solid TE, but if Niblack proves to be a willing blocker, I'd feel much better about him becoming JT pt2, rather than another Billingsley). 

I rec'd your comment, Wabi Sabi, for the form it took, but not necessarily the suggestions.  I do think the question for the team is "whose breakouts would have the biggest positive impact?" 

I would have to go all in on the defensive unit.  I believe the offensive unit is two deep in high level talent and is in no particular need of a "breakout."

On the defensive unit, the breakout need is greatest for two interior DTs and an inside LB.

So I would go with Bledsoe and Bryant as DTs, although a surprise from the less experienced Sydir or January would be welcomed.

Then I would pick Gbenda as the high breakout potential inside LB, but all the others you named plus a role for Trey Moore at ILB [the other position he played at UTSA] would be quite welcome. And I would not discount the possibility of Blackwell as a breakout ILB, either.

I don't think the team needs a breakout star DB or Nickel, so I would choose my last two breakout stars from my honorably mentioned ones, above.  Say, January and Gullette.

YMMV!

based on the list I am going to go with Bledsoe and Neto. I like Moore, Roberson and McDonald, but there path to extensive play time is going to be tough. Bledsoe has the easiest path of the bunch. I would add Baxter. Someone is going to grab the RB job this year, he might as well be the guess. Guy I will be watching is Guilette. HE was a freak of an athlete prior to the injury. I dont think he will be a big break-out candidate, but I guy who might slowly come on during the season and get fans excited with some flash plays. 

DB Jelani McDonald – Sophomore

The versatile secondary member is now firmly in the boat at the safety position which is something I am very much a fan of. McDonald was previously split between linebacker, safety and potentially cornerback when he first arrived in Austin, and now Blake Gideon is in charge of molding him into a big-time ballplayer.

9 minutes ago, Park Gothic said:

DB Jelani McDonald – Sophomore

The versatile secondary member is now firmly in the boat at the safety position which is something I am very much a fan of. McDonald was previously split between linebacker, safety and potentially cornerback when he first arrived in Austin, and now Blake Gideon is in charge of molding him into a big-time ballplayer.

better than 

DB Jelani McDonald – Sophomore

The versatile secondary member is now firmly in the boat at the safety position which is something I am very much a fan of. McDonald was previously split between linebacker, safety and potentially cornerback when he first arrived in Austin, and now Blake Gideon is in charge of molding his hands into a big-time ballhawk

We really need Roberson to take that next step to bring some more quality depth to that CB room because if Brooks or Muhammad go down, I think we might be in trouble. 

1 minute ago, danielsheehan said:

We really need Roberson to take that next step to bring some more quality depth to that CB room because if Brooks or Muhammad go down, I think we might be in trouble Gavin Holmes would come in, and we'd be fine.