Texas Football: Updated redshirt chart post-2019 regular season
By Shane Black
David Gbenda (4 games): The 2019 Under Armour All-American played in 4 games in 2019 seeing most of his snaps in the special teams role. With the departure of Jeffrey McCulloch, Gbenda should see an uptick in defensive snaps next season.
Marcus Tillman Jr (4 games): Linebacker Marcus Tillman Jr. played in the first four games of the season before suffering an MCL injury against Oklahoma State that ended his 2019 campaign. In the first four contests, Tillman was mainly used in a special teams role, though his speed and football instincts were apparent. He should have a role on the 2020 defense.
Kenyatta Watson (4 games): The Georgia native came on the scene late in the season, making a huge pass breakup in the endzone on fourth down against Texas Tech. Watson’s contributions against the Red Raiders earned him a College Football Focus All-Big 12 Defensive Team of the Week nod.
From what he showed in the regular season finale, I expect Watson to be a major competitor for snaps next season. If I am coach Herman, I would sit him out for the bowl game to hold on to his redshirt season.
Kennedy Lewis (2 games): The Melissa, Texas native played sparingly in two games this season, coming up with one 37-yard reception in the fourth quarter in the win over Rice.
Lewis was only seen as a three-star prospect by most recruiting sites, though with his 6-foot-3 frame alongside the added weight in Yancy McNight’s program, Lewis should be able to compete for snaps next season as Texas losses their top two targets.