Texas Football: 3 backups who should start after loss to OU

Isaiah Hookfin, OT

It can’t get much worse for the Longhorns at the offensive tackle positions this fall, can it?

Texas really hit rock-bottom in the second half in the 55-48 loss to Oklahoma last weekend in terms of the play of the offensive tackles. The combination of senior offensive tackle Christian Jones and freshman Andrej Karic gave up a whopping eight quarterback pressures. And a lot of the hits and sacks that were allowed on redshirt junior quarterback Casey Thompson last weekend came courtesy of Jones and Karic.

At this point, it feels like you might as well let someone younger like Karic get the reps in for future sake. This could be the final year in the career of Jones. At this point, Jones really is what he is. It would be shocking to see some tremendous breakthrough from Jones at this point of the season.

It does look like the most ready-made backup offensive tackle physically for the Longhorns is the former blue-chip recruit and sophomore Isaiah Hookfin. The 6-foot-5 and 300-pound Hookfin is about 20 pounds lighter than Jones. Otherwise, he’s got a similar build and more mobility than the struggling senior.

Something has to give for the Longhorns at the offensive tackle positions this fall. If Texas is going to give up close to a double-digit number of quarterback pressures from these two spots alone along the offensive line, then new offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood might as well give some younger players a try throughout the rest of the season.