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Texas Football: 5 Most Important Freshmen for the Longhorns in 2016

By Tyler Brett

Nov 7, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; University of Texas Longhorns tight end Dominic Cruciani (48) carries out the American flag before the game against the University of Kansas Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; University of Texas Longhorns tight end Dominic Cruciani (48) carries out the American flag before the game against the University of Kansas Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 7, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; University of Texas Longhorns tight end Dominic Cruciani (48) carries out the American flag before the game against the University of Kansas Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; University of Texas Longhorns tight end Dominic Cruciani (48) carries out the American flag before the game against the University of Kansas Jayhawks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /

Charlie Strong brought in a stacked recruiting class for Texas football in 2016. Which of these young stars will have the biggest impact on the Longhorns right away this fall?

Since Strong took over at Texas, he’s had no problems playing younger players. At the end of the day, the best man plays no matter how long he’s been with the team. That opens the door for young studs to step up and make a name for themselves early.

Last season, Texas found some awesome talent in true freshmen who will be leaders for the team in 2016. Malik Jefferson, Patrick Vahe, Connor Williams, Holton Hill, and John Burt all proved themselves with early playing time last season as true freshmen. Williams and Vahe were freshmen All-Americans in 2015 and Jefferson is the preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year for 2016. In all, nine true freshmen accounted for 62 collective starts in 2015.

The question now is which incoming freshmen will make their marks this season? There are plenty of places for young players to step up and contribute right away and Strong’s highly-rated recruiting class is brimming with talent who can step in immediately. Some of them have already made their mark as early enrollees during spring ball. Others have hit fall camp with a vengeance.

With the season opener against Notre Dame rapidly approaching, the pressure in fall camp will be mounting. If Strong and the Longhorns are going to turn things around in 2016, they will need big performances from some of their stud freshmen. So which of these young men will prove most vital to the Horns this fall?

Next: The Anchor of the Offensive Line

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