Texas Football: 5 Longhorns ready to breakout in 2019

Most of the players on this list for Texas football at least sniffed stardom before. But rising sophomore linebacker and talented edge rusher Joe Ossai is a bit different. Ossai showed flashes as a true freshman, but never really got the chance yet to consistently excel with this group of linebackers.

Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando could have a beast on his hands with Ossai trying to truly breakthrough onto the national scene. The physical tools and early level of maturity in his game that Ossai showed during his first year on campus should start to allow him to garner attention from NFL scouts soon.

However, Ossai racked up 20 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble, last season. The 6-foot-4 and 245 pound former four-star recruit has the size and strength to be able to take that next leap too. Strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight made a quick impact on Ossai getting him ready to face the high-powered offenses of the Big 12 as a true freshman.

In his second year on the Forty Acres, Ossai will be looking to take another step forward and begin to touch that level of stardom he has the capability of reaching. He should be entrusted with a role of B-linebacker for the Longhorns. Ossai and senior linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch should be the set in stone leaders for this position group.