Five Questions Texas Must Answer Going into Fall Practice

Oct 12, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns center Dominic Espinosa (55) and guard Trey Hopkins (75) in action against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

4. Can the offensive line gel quickly?

This group can go either way; it’s going to depend on the status of Estelle and Harrison. If Joe Wickline loses these two projected starters, the line will probably be in a state of flux all season. Wickline was brought in because he can get the most out of a player. He finds a way to make average players great. He has his work cut out for him.

Dominic Espinosa is the anchor. He needs to set the tone for the other lineman in fall practice. The offense won’t function efficiently if this group can’t find its footing. Espinosa is on the Rimington Watch List for the second straight season. It won’t help his chances if the line struggles. Strong needs his senior center to take charge of a potentially young and inexperienced line.

The talent is there – Kent Perkins, Curtis Riser, Sedrick Flowers, Rami Hammad and Taylor Doyle all have the credentials. Putting it all together in time for North Texas, however, is a serious question mark. In the spring game, both first and second-team quarterbacks faced tremendous pressure as the pockets collapsed around them. Brown struggled to find open running lanes. It wasn’t pretty. Perhaps the biggest concern about the offensive line entering fall practice is can it protect the quarterback?

We won’t see the progress Wickline has made until the team takes the field versus North Texas. This unit will be under a lot of scrutiny this year.