Postseason game a glimpse into the future
AUSTIN — The Alamo Bowl could be a tricky balancing act for Texas coach Tom Herman.
The primary goal, obviously, is to win the game. That usually requires rolling with a team’s most established players. But for No. 20 Texas (6-3, 5-3 Big 12), next Tuesday’s matchup with Colorado (4-1, 3-1 Pac-12) also is a prime chance to evaluate the next wave of players expected to challenge for starting or rotational spots in 2021.
Nothing important is at stake for the Longhorns in this game. And Texas is still dealing with an internal outbreak of COVID-19, making it even more likely that some of those infrequently seen underclassmen could play a big role against the Buffaloes at the Alamodome.
“I do think that it’ll be exciting to see some of these young guys play,” Herman said. “We’ve got some more COVID issues than we did two weeks ago when we headed to Manhattan (Kan. to play Kansas State). So that might elevate a few more young guys into some key contributor roles.”
A look at a few underclassmen who could make an impact for Texas against Colorado in the 2020 Alamo Bowl:
DT Alfred Collins
There haven’t been too many reps to go around for freshman Alfred Collins. But that could change now that senior defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham opted out of the game to prepare for the 2021 NFL draft.
Despite serving in a relief role this year, Collins has tantalized when on the field, recording 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass breakups and 1½ sacks
“He’s a young guy that can play,” Graham said. “He came in ready to play. And that’s something I tell him I appreciate every single day, that he’s ready to play, he’s ready to go.”
Herman said Collins was the
Longhorns’ defensive player of the game in their most recent win, a 69-31 rout of Kansas State. He finished with four tackles and was a disruptive force against both the run and pass.
QBs Casey Thompson and Hudson Card
How much run will Herman give to redshirt sophomore Casey Thompson and freshman Hudson Card during what will be senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s final game?
Texas has to begin looking to
ward life without Ehlinger. And the battle to replace him will be waged between Thompson, a 2018 four-star signee who has played only in mop-up duty, and Card, who finished the 2020 recruiting cycle ranked No. 2 among dual-threat quarterbacks, per the 247Sports composite rankings.
“Hudson’s the Golden Boy, throws a beautiful ball,” Ehlinger said. “We always make fun of him. It’s like he came out of the womb throwing spirals and doing QB drills perfectly. So he’s been awesome.”
In six career appearances, Thompson has completed 12 of 19 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 36 yards and a score. Card appeared briefly in the season opener against UTEP but did not record any statistics.
S Jerrin Thompson
Freshman Jerrin Thompson made the most of his first substantial opportunity of the season.
With junior safety B.J. Foster (hamstring) sidelined, Thompson started against Kansas State and finished with four tackles, one interception and one pass breakup.
“We knew that Jerrin was continuing to improve throughout practices and we knew that he would be ready to fill in when needed,” Herman said. “And he did a great job.”
Even if Foster is healthy, Texas will still need help replacing starting safeties Chris Brown and Caden Sterns, both of whom opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. Thompson should get another chance to shine.
C Jake Majors and LT Andrej Karic
Freshmen offensive linemen Jake Majors and Andrej Karic excelled in their first extended action of the season.
Despite losing senior lineman and captain Derek Kerstetter in the first half, Texas dominated the Wildcats in the trenches to set season-high marks in scoring (69), total yards (608), rushing yards (334) and rushing touchdowns (seven).
“We had two true freshmen playing on the offensive line and rushed for over 300 yards,” Herman said. “That is definitely a testament to the young guys and the way that they prepared and performed, but also to the veterans, the guys that have played to continue to lift them up and be part of that collective lifting of the burden.”
Without Kerstetter and star left tackle Sam Cosmi, who opted out to begin draft preparation, Majors and Karic both are expected to start against Colorado. It would mark Karic’s first start and Majors’ second.
“Jake did a great job,” Herman said after the win over Kansas State. “He’s really a great leader, as a freshman, and I had all the confidence in the world that he’d go in and do exactly what he did because of the way that he prepares every day.”