3 Texas football players who could lose starting jobs in fall camp

Christian Jones, OT

Coming out of fall camp, it will say a lot about how some of the returning offensive linemen are progressing with offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood this offseason if the likes of senior Christian Jones and sophomore Andrej Karic win starting spots this season. In fact, I would think it would be more advantageous for Flood and the Longhorns if Karic and Jones do win starting jobs for Week 1 against ULM.

But the more likely of these two returning offensive tackles to win a starting job for Week 1 vs. ULM is Jones. The fact that Jones brings more size and experience to the table means that he might be the more reliable option to get this Texas offensive line through a difficult non-conference schedule in September.

What also plays to Jones’ advantage in this looming position battle at offensive tackle in fall camp is his proficiency in blocking for the rusher in the last couple of seasons. Jones definitely is a more capable run-blocker than he is a pass-blocker.

Texas will want to set the tone on the ground right away this fall with the likes of star junior running back Bijan Robinson, senior Roschon Johnson, and even redshirt junior Keilan Robinson. Starting Jones at one of the offensive tackle spots would help ensure a strong start to the season on the ground.

But there is still the chance that Flood and the Longhorns want more long-term potential and more capable pass blocking coming out of fall camp at the offensive tackle position. That would likely give more of an opportunity to the likes of Karic, freshman Kelvin Banks, sophomore Jaylen Garth, freshman Cam Williams, etc. to win starting reps this fall.

The fact of the matter is that Jones had the worst production in pass blocking among any regular starter for the Longhorns last season. He allowed more than two-dozen quarterback pressures last fall, and he was even less proficient in true pass sets. Jones allowed quarterback pressures on roughly seven percent of his pass blocking snaps in true pass sets last season. That can’t happen if Sark and the Longhorns want to make some of the necessary strides on the offensive side of the ball this fall.