Texas Football: 5 players who should get more playing time after bye week

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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 21: Ta’Quon Graham #49 of the Texas Longhorns tackles Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Texas had to hope for better from its senior defensive ends in Breckyn Hager and Charles Omenihu to start off the 2018 campaign. Although Omenihu really picked up his production of late, Hager laid an egg in last week’s win over Baylor. For a defensive line the currently features three senior starters, giving more playing time as the 2018 campaign nears its close wouldn’t be the worst idea.

When the Horns do give the backup defensive lineman the chance to make an impact in a game situation, you can see the potential come through. Lineman like sophomore Ta’Quon Graham and Marqez Bimage can be difference makers for Texas football next year and Herman and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando could help them get there faster with more playing time in 2018.

Graham has 13 total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss this season. He set a career high for total tackles already but has yet to rack up his first sack of the 2018 campaign. The first sack of his career did come in last year’s loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders and he came close to snagging one in the season-opening loss this year to the Maryland Terrapins.

Graham got a good amount of work in the wins over Baylor and the TCU Horned Frogs. The rotation for the defensive line right now includes a number of talented players with some experience. The likes of Graham, Bimage, and defensive tackle Gerald Wilbon could be the starters along the line next season.

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