GUIDED ROSTER TOUR
A position-by-position breakdown of the Longhorns’ 2015 roster
QUARTERBACKS
Competition was promised, but Jerrod Heard hasn’t provided much of it to incumbent Tyrone
Swoopes, whose poor first season as the starter had some critics believing his time is already up. Swoopes excelled on the handful of occasions the offense went up-tempo, as he seemed liberated by the free-flowing pace that will be more constant this season in Shawn Watson’s revamped spread system. Freshman Matthew Merrick is headed for a redshirt year, but fellow newcomer Kai Locksley could push Heard for snaps.
RUNNING BACKS
Johnathan Gray’s production has been undermined by an Achilles injury, poor blocking and splitting carries for three seasons (with Malcolm Brown). As a senior, Gray’s burst is back, he’ll be running behind an improved front, and he’s the backfield’s undisputed first option. Bigbodied D’Onta Foreman, who has looked surprisingly nimble for his size, should hold off freshmen
Chris Warren, Kirk Johnson and
WIDE RECEIVERS
Here comes a moment of truth for two seniors named Johnson.
Marcus Johnson was primed for a breakout season in 2014 but instead surrendered that honor to John Harris and finished with a disappointing 27 catches for 313 yards. Daje Johnson’s season was an even bigger letdown; he couldn’t stay on the field because of a suspension and a hamstring injury. He played in six games, with seven catches. New receivers coach Jay Norvell has plenty of intriguing options from which to choose, including rangy Dorian Leonard, speedy Armanti Foreman and newcomer John Burt.
TIGHTENDS
None of the team’s four scholarship tight ends has caught a pass in college, and only sophomore Andrew Beck has appeared in a game. So don’t expect eye-popping statistics from this position. Beck, who started off last season at linebacker, had three catches for 17 yards in the spring game and has the ability to split the seams of the defense and get downfield. Additional options include freshman DeAndre
McNeal, who can line up in various spots, as well as converted receiver Garrett Gray, defensive end Caleb Bluiett and fullback Alex De La
Torre. Blake Whitely is likely out for the season with a severe knee injury.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Apart from quarterback, the development of the line will be the most integral factor of the season. Five recruits were brought in to bolster a dysfunctional unit and, unexpectedly, two freshmen — tackle Connor Williams and guard Patrick Vahe — were getting the nod in early practices over junior college imports Tristan
Nickelson and Brandon Hodges. Williams will probably start at right tackle, which was vacated by transfers Camrhon Hughes and Darius James. Taylor Doyle is back at center and is flanked on both sides by a returning starter (left guard Sedrick Flowers and right guard Kent Perkins). At left tackle, Marcus Hutchins brings back 12 starts.