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Texas Football: 5 freshmen the Longhorns should redshirt in 2018

By Andrew Miller

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns walks into the stadium before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns walks into the stadium before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Texas found itself a rangy outside linebacker and an underrated high school prospect altogether in three-star Fort Worth, TX, product Byron Hobbs. The fact that Hobbs flew under the radar serves as a big reason why the Horns should redshirt him this year. He’s sneaky fast and can cover the field sideline to sideline.

The four-star linebacker Ayodele Adeoye is the most likely freshman at this position to land a starting role, or any sort of significant playing time in 2018. Adeoye and junior linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch should get the most playing time in the Texas linebacking corps behind the two obvious starters.

Hobbs would either have to take the place of Breckyn Hager or Gary Johnson this year. Yet, since Hager is a senior this year, the opportunity is clearly there for Hobbs to win a starting job potentially as a redshirt freshman in 2019. Similar to Ghirmai on the offensive line, Hobbs needs to take the time to develop under two talented and experienced linebackers in Hager and Johnson.

As an absolute steal of a three-star recruit for the Horns for the past recruiting cycle, Hobbs does have a very potent future in Austin. That could also be followed by a selection in an NFL Draft at least three or four years out if all goes well. His impact on the national stage isn’t likely to come around at least until 2019 or 2020 too.

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