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Texas Football: 10 Longhorns Who Will Turn Program Around in 2016

By Tyler Brett

Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates the win over the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. The Longhorns defeat the Bears 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Jerrod Heard (13) carries the ball ahead of California Golden Bears defensive end Noah Westerfield (33) and linebacker Hardy Nickerson (47) during the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Cal beat Texas 45-44. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Jerrod Heard (13) carries the ball ahead of California Golden Bears defensive end Noah Westerfield (33) and linebacker Hardy Nickerson (47) during the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Cal beat Texas 45-44. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Jerrod Heard, WR

The former starting quarterback for the Longhorns has made the transition to receiver during fall camp. By all accounts, he’s embraced the position switch and has found quick success utilizing his athleticism as a pass catcher.

That athleticism is what will make him such an important part of the Texas offense this season. While Heard struggled to process everything that was coming at him as a starting quarterback, there’s no denying that he is special with the football in his hands. Last season against Cal and Oklahoma, he showed what he can do in open space, rushing for 163 and 115 yards respectively on 45 combined carries with three touchdowns.

Finding a more consistent way to utilize that ability was obviously at the top of Sterlin Gilbert’s to-do list during fall camp. When Heard fall back to third on the quarterback depth chart, the team quickly decided to transition him to a position where he could make an impact this season. So far, everyone has raved about what he’s done in practice and in scrimmages.

Harnessing that spark he showed with the ball in his hands will be an incredible asset to the Longhorns this fall. Adding an athlete as versatile and explosive as Heard at multiple positions during the season will only make this Texas offense harder to defend. If he harnesses that big-play ability properly, he could become one of the most explosive players on the team.

Next: 7. Naashon Hughes, Fox

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