Texas Football: 5 freshmen who should be vying for early playing time

This Texas football offense will thrive off the play of junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger and the ever-so talented and deep receiving corps. If the Longhorns get the best play possible out of the top three or four receivers on the roster, then the rest should fall into place alongside another rise from Ehlinger.

A potential riser up the depth chart in the receiving corps could be the reigning Gatorade National High School Football Player of the Year and nearly a five-star wide receiver recruit, Jake Smith. Could this be the year that the Longhorns have a pair of Arizona natives as pass catchers that contribute right away?

Receiving rave reviews throughout spring ball, summer workouts, and fall camp, Smith could be ready for early playing time as soon as Week 1. If Herman and Beck feel as if Smith is ready to contribute this early on, then he surely has the skill set to thrive in this passing game.

Smith could be one of the quickest and most sure-handed wide receivers in the Big 12 at the end of the 2019 regular season. We saw a former Texas recruiting target like Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Rondale Moore make an instant impact last year as a true freshman. Smith could be seen in a similar light in 2019.