Texas Football: 3 underrated players shining in spring spotlight

David Gbenda, LB

The journey so far for the former talented four-star recruit and redshirt sophomore linebacker David Gbenda with the Longhorns is one that is pretty complicated. He was originally recruited to play at linebacker for Texas, but had to be switched to also play at running back during his first year with the team.

Due to a plethora of running back injuries for Herman and the Longhorns ahead of the start of the 2019 regular season, they had to move Gbenda to join that position group.

Once Texas started getting healthier in the running back room two years ago, Gbenda was moved back to his original position at linebacker. And with the depth need that the Longhorns have at linebacker this year, he’ll really have the opportunity to step up and make a consistent impact come next fall.

Gbenda did already get a good bit of game experience under his belt last season. In bits and pieces of six games played for Texas last fall, Gbenda registered 19 combined tackles, no tackles for loss and no sacks, and one interception. His sole career interception came against the Kansas State Wildcats in the regular season finale last year.

With the likes of junior linebackers Juwan Mitchell and Ayodele Adeoya putting their names in the transfer portal this offseason, Gbenda could have a real shot at getting significant snaps this year. He does need to continue to make a really good impression on new defensive coordinators/linebackers coaches Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate in spring ball.