Texas Football: Zach Shackelford garnering unanticipated national hype
Lindy’s was an early offseason national preview magazine that dropped with Shackelford on numerous pages and lists. They listed Shackelford as the No. 5 center in the nation entering the 2019 regular season and as the best in the Big 12. The only other Texas offensive linemen even mentioned among those top player rankings is the former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets transfer guard Parker Braun (No. 3 at his position).
Taking a look at the national preview magazines for 2019. Texas has Zach Shackelford and Parker Braun ranked the best at their O-Line positions in the nation! #HookEm pic.twitter.com/XefBhXjuTd
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) July 7, 2019
The same magazine also had Braun and Shackelford as two of the offensive linemen picked for the 2019 All-Big 12 First Team honors. The final bit of significant mentioning that those two got from Lindy’s came from its early ranking of 2020 NFL Draft prospects. Shackelford was named as the second best eligible senior center in the 2020 NFL Draft class.
On the other hand, the 2019 national college football preview magazine for Athlon Sports had even more prestigious spotlight for Shackelford this coming season. Athlon Sports named Shackelford as their center on the All-American Second Team. The only other Texas offensive player that was named on any of the three All-America teams was Ehlinger.
Zach Shackelford makes it on the Athlon Sports 2019 All-America Second Team! #ThisIsTexas pic.twitter.com/unAjNwa9fJ
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) July 7, 2019
Considering the vast amount of losses for the Longhorns amid starters on the offensive line, Athlon was high on this position group in its Big 12 Unit Rankings. The Texas offensive line ranked third in the Big 12.
Athlon had three Longhorns on the 2019 All-Big 12 First Team: QB Sam Ehlinger, OT Sam Cosmi, and C Zach Shackelford. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/8pkyU7l9Yp
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) July 7, 2019
Last but not least for Longhorns offensive linemen in Athlon was the picks for All-Big 12 First Team honors for Shackelford and sophomore offensive tackle (reigning Freshman All-American) Sam Cosmi.