Top 40 on the 40: Nos. 30-21

Each of the On Texas Football staff members ranked our Top 40 players on the Texas football roster for our inaugural Top 40 on the 40. All of our selections were compiled and averaged out to produce an overall Top 40.

Each Thursday in July, we’re releasing the list, 10 players at a time, along with a video breaking down the selections. Last week, we started with Nos. 40-31.

This week, we’re breaking down Nos. 30-21.

No. 30 — Laurence Seymore

Seymore’s addition to the roster filled a glaring hole after Texas failed to solidify one of the two open guard spots with a transfer. The second-team All-American (Football Writers Association of America) from Western Kentucky reportedly hit the ground running in summer conditioning. Still, the offensive line will be better if Seymore wins the job by the Sept. 5 season opener against Texas State, rather than getting the nod by default.

No. 29 — Derek Williams Jr.

Williams showed flashes in spring practice of being the player he was before he injured his knee in a win over Oklahoma midway through the 2024 season. After flirting with the transfer portal, Williams has the inside track to be a starting safety in Will Muschamp’s defense, which highlights the position if he’s got the versatile pieces to do so.

No. 28 — Derrek Cooper

Should a true freshman RB3 be this close to a spot among the top 25 players on the roster? That speaks to the impact Cooper made in the spring, when he reportedly showed surprisingly sharp pass-protection skills. Cooper also brought a much-needed physical edge to the running game.

No. 27 — Brad Spence

One of the Longhorns’ best natural pass rushers, Spence could be a true chess piece for Muschamp around the line of scrimmage. With Anthony Hill Jr. off to the NFL, Spence is one of several players who will be counted on to take some of the pass-rushing burden off Colin Simmons.

No. 26 — Nick Townsend

Townsend is said to be closing in on 260 pounds while remaining one of the top pound-for-pound athletes in the program. The challenge for Townsend is how soon he can channel his physicality, athleticism and ability to make things happen with the ball in his hands into becoming a consistent playmaker on offense.

No. 25 — Justus Terry

In a limited role as a true freshman, Terry flashed the potential to be the kind of interior disruptor the defense missed after back-to-back seasons with Byron Murphy and Alfred Collins in that role. After undergoing surgery to address an upper-body injury that kept him out of the Citrus Bowl, Terry has a big preseason ahead as he looks to crack a deep, talented defensive line rotation.

No. 24 — Zina Umeozulu

The Texas staff fought hard to keep Umeozulu out of the portal. Voted as high as No. 12 on OTF staff members’ ballot, Umeozulu should be in for a heck of a battle with Lance Jackson for the snaps made available with Ethan Burke’s eligibility expiring after the 2025 season.

No. 23 — Michael Masunas

The Longhorns need guys on offense like Masunas, who don’t need to touch the ball to impact the game? Can the Michigan State transfer be the same kind of blocking presence Geoff Swaim and Andrew Beck were on the Forty Acres? Whether he’s that level of blocker or not, Masunas should allow Steve Sarkisian to get back to a running game that can rely on a tight end getting a consistent push as an in-line blocker or on the move in Sarkisian’s split-zone concepts.

No. 22 — Kade Phillips

After a tremendous true freshman season, it felt like the coaches challenged Phillips in spring practice (Kobe Black was working ahead of him in the spring game). Phillips has the tools to be everything Muschamp would want in a No. 1 cornerback. The change to more aggressive, man-to-man coverage could be what the doctor ordered to unlock Phillips’ immense talent.

No. 21 — Brandon Baker

Not only did Baker turn heads with his performance after moving inside to guard ahead of spring practice, but his attitude and his embracing the move set the tone for the spring and summer in Kyle Flood’s room. If Baker has the kind of season he and the coaches believe he’s capable of, he’ll have a stay-or-go decision after the season regarding his NFL future.