Hook'em Headlines
Fansided

Texas Football: 5 keys to success in 2018

By Andrew Miller

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 09: Antwuan Davis #7 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after recovering a fumble on a kickoff in the fourth quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 09: Antwuan Davis #7 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after recovering a fumble on a kickoff in the fourth quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 14: Sam Ehlinger #11 hands off to Jerrod Heard #13 of the Texas Longhorns in the second half of a football game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 14: Sam Ehlinger #11 hands off to Jerrod Heard #13 of the Texas Longhorns in the second half of a football game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

2. Find the answer under center

Texas has seemingly looked for just one quarterback to step up in a big enough way to lead this offense effectively since the end of the Colt McCoy era following the BCS National Championship loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Is rising sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger that guy that can lead the Horns back to glory?

Only time will tell if Ehlinger is the answer for Texas, or just another in the line of disappointing quarterbacks in Austin. The rising junior Shane Buechele is definitely still in the running for the starting gig under center, though. Buechele is coming into his second season in a new offense under Herman and offensive coordinator Tim Beck. He could have a breakout season by pulling off the right moves during the off-season.

If all else fails, the Horns do have two freshmen quarterbacks in California native Cameron Rising and Oklahoma native Casey Thompson on campus as spring enrollees. Both had some nice flashes during the spring football game. Rising does seem like a great fit for a Herman offensive scheme too.

Ultimately, Ehlinger looks like the starter to begin the season. If he performs well and takes a step forward in his progression from his freshman campaign, he’ll get most of the snaps for the entire season. Yet, Ehlinger is also likely to have a short leash with three other talented quarterbacks waiting on the sideline.

Home/Texas Football