Texas Football: Breaking down the 2018 depth chart

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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 29: Devin Duvernay #2 of the Texas Longhorns breaks free against the Baylor Bears during the second half on October 29, 2016 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Z-Wide Receiver

Starter: Devin Duvernay, junior

Backup: Jerrod Heard, senior

3rd string: John Burt, senior

This part of the receiving corps should see the most widespread distribution of targets among them all. At z-receiver, the Horns are looking to take the top off of opposing defenses. Each of the three receivers that Texas has slotted here can do just that given the right play calling and rhythm with the offense.

The obvious choice to start is the former Baylor Bears transfer and junior Devin Duvernay. As possibly the most reliable deep threat that the Horns have in the mix, Duvernay is looking to recover from a down 2017 season statistically. In his first year with Texas, Duvernay racked up more than 400 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

That translated to less than 150 receiving yards and no touchdowns last year for Duvernay. Senior and converted quarterback Jerrod Heard is a solid backup behind Duvernay, but he’s not really an established deep threat. Heard is more of a slippery option to look to in the slot from what he did in the past two seasons.

The last name to mention is the senior track star John Burt. Due to injury trouble, Burt is one of three players for the Horns that will miss action in Week 1. Inconsistency issues plagued Burt since the 2015 season so he slipped down on the depth chart all the way to third string.

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