Five True Freshmen to Keep an Eye on In Fall Practice
Texas had a large 2015 recruiting class. Many of these players will be stepping on campus soon if they haven’t already. Once fall practice gets underway, these players will have a chance to earn the playing time Texas coaches told them would be available during the recruiting process.
Here are five freshmen to watch in fall practice.
Patrick Vahe
The offensive line returns four regulars from last year. This fact alone would paint the picture of a starting job hard to come by.
Not by a long shot.
Charlie Strong and Joe Wickline are hanging their hat on running the ball. This was something Texas could not do with consistency last season. The line simply didn’t open enough holes or sustain blocks long enough for Malcolm and Jonathan Gray to exploit.
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True freshmen rarely make an impact on the offensive and defensive lines. Usually these guys need to bulk up before they can step onto the field and hold their own. Vahe may be an exception. He plays with a tenacity that has been lacking at this position for quite some time. I don’t expect Vahe to come in and claim a starting job right away, but it’s worth watching him this fall to see how he adapts to the college game. I believe he has the mindset – and skillset – to be a contributor in 2015.
Connor Williams
Another freshman with aspirations of playing in 2015, Williams is ahead of Vahe due to being an early enrollee. This really helped him catch the coaching staff’s attention during spring drills and it’s why he is a serious candidate to be starting at some point this season.
Williams was holding his own at left tackle. Protecting the quarterback’s blind side is a big responsibility and it seems he has earned the trust of the coaching staff. Don’t be surprised to see his name atop the depth chart for the season opener versus Notre Dame.
Devonaire Clarington
It seems like it has been ages since Texas has had a good receiving tight end. Clarington can be that guy. In order to be this guy he will need to put on some weight and work on his blocking. Right now he may be best suited as an H-back, working out of the backfield. With only Andrew Beck and Blake Whiteley ahead of him on the depth chart it will only be a matter of time before Clarington vaults up to the top.
It will be important to watch how involved the tight ends are in fall practice. If this group has a limited role in 2015, there is a good chance Watson will roll with Beck and Whiteley and redshirt Clarington.
Ryan Newsome
Texas lost its top punt returners from last season in Jaxon Shipley and Quandre Diggs. Daje Johnson will get the first crack at replacing this duo, but his standing on the team always seems to be week-to-week.
Newsome will get some work returning punts and kickoffs. With so many kickoffs going deep into – or out of – the end zone, returning punts gives Newsome the best opportunity to get on the field. He was one of the state’s best return men coming out of high school. Don’t be surprised to see Strong pass the torch to Newsome.
The one knock on Newsome is his size. He won’t be juking high school kids on special teams – college programs aren’t afraid to play regulars on special teams. He will need to get acclimated to the speed of the college game quickly if he hopes to contribute this season.