Texas Longhorns: Four Thoughts from Texas’ Win Over Rice

Sep 12, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Jerrod Heard (13) and wide receiver John Burt (1) react against the Rice Owls during the first quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

3. The freshmen provide reason for optimism

The future looks bright in Austin with young players like Malik Jefferson, Jerrod Heard, Kris Boyd, Holton Hill, Davante Davis, Connor Williams, John Burt, Breckyn Hager and PJ Locke laying the foundation for the Longhorns’ program.

There is a long ways to go on the 40 acres, but if Saturday was any indication, this crop of freshmen will play a pivotal role in turning around the program. While Heard’s long touchdown pass to Burt is receiving most of the attention, another “freshmen connection” took place when Kris Boyd put a hat on the football to force a fumble, which super-frosh Malik Jefferson picked up and took the house.

Even with a couple missed tackles, Jefferson still put together another great game on Saturday. He is undoubtedly Texas’ best player on defence and will eventually become a future first-round pick.

Next: Explosive plays propelled the Longhorns