Texas Football: 3 OL’s who must step up to replace Samuel Cosmi

2) Texas football OL who must step up

As one of the most highly rated recruits in recent memory along the offensive line for the Longhorns, the Conroe, TX, native and redshirt freshman offensive tackle Tyler Johnson could be a name to watch as Texas tries to figure out how to make up for the loss of Cosmi in the trenches. Johnson was once a highly touted five-star recruit that was a massive part of the Longhorns 2019 signing class.

Although he has yet to really take a snap in meaningful game action for the Longhorns, Johnson might finally get the opportunity he’s looking for to make an impact. Johnson is one of the few blue chip Longhorns offensive line commits since the 2018 cycle that has yet to really get an actual attempt to make an impact in game action.

Coming out of Oak Ridge High School in-state, Johnson ranked as the nation’s No. 58 2019 high school prospect, No. 8 offensive tackle, and No. 9 prospect out of Texas (247Sports Composite). And the Top247 ranked him as the nation’s No. 87 high school prospect, No. 9 offensive tackle, and No. 13 prospect out of Texas.

For most of the season to date, Johnson sat second or third on the depth chart, mostly at the right tackle and/or right guard positions. Johnson getting significant playing time from here on out would mean two things. The first is that the Longhorns do some shuffling along other portions of the offensive line in the absence of Cosmi. And the second is that Johnson steps up in practice and proves that he’s worth the bump in role this soon in the 2020 season.