Herman steers Horns into Big 12 title mix
Texas coach Tom Herman spent much of his first season working to change the culture of the Longhorns program.
He pushed his players both physically and mentally and they responded by putting together the program’s first winning season since 2013.
Texas is No. 25 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team. Texas Tom Herman (7-6, entering second season; 29-10 overall)
7-6, 5-4 in Big 12 Conference; tied for fourth overall
For all of those who thought rebuilding the Texas program was going to be easy, the team’s stunning season-opening loss to Maryland — a doubledigit underdog — quickly erased those preconceived notions. The Longhorns looked overwhelmed against the Terps, but they bounced back to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2013. They also won the Texas Bowl. Four of the team’s six losses were by five points or less.
7 DeShon Elliott, DB Holton Hill, P Michael Dickson, OL Connor Williams
QB Sam Ehlinger, QB Shane Buechele, RB Daniel Young, WR Collin Johnson, WR Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, CB Brandon Jones, LB Gary Johnson, DB Kris Boyd, LB Anthony Wheeler
Quarterbacks Sam Ehlinger and Shane Buechele split the starting duties last season as Herman and offensive coordinator Tim Beck worked to identify a consistent starter. Both players performed sporadically, neither able to seize control of the starting job.
Junior Collin Johnson is the top returning receiver after leading the team in receptions (54) and receiving yards (765). Lil’ Jordan Humphrey (431 yards) also provides a dependable option on the outside.
The Longhorns were more aggressive under defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, going from 20 turnovers gained to 26 in just one season.
The secondary should be fine thanks to the return of corner Kris Boyd (15 pass breakups) and safety Brandon Jones (61 tackles).
A school once known for producing punishing running backs has only had one player cross the 1,000-yard plateau in the past decade (D’Onta Foreman, 2016). Last season, the team averaged a paltry 3.58 yards per carry.
Herman and his staff were forced to use eight different starting lineups at offensive line due to injuries and ineffectiveness. The group was underwhelming by all accounts, allowing 34 sacks.
Texas returns a Big 12-best 13 senior starters, making it one of the most experienced teams heading into this upcoming season. That’s good news for Herman, whose message to his team this offseason has been to develop and finish.