Analyzing 3 true freshmen who should start for Texas football in 2022

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Cole Hutson, IOL

Despite suffering a setback last weekend during the first fall scrimmage, there is still a lot of optimism surrounding what the former four-star recruit and true freshman interior offensive lineman Cole Hutson can bring to the table for Flood and the Longhorns in the trenches. Hutson suffered a concussion last weekend which shouldn’t keep him out too long.

Prior to suffering this concussion during the scrimmage over the weekend, Hutson was making some real progress in terms of moving his way up the depth chart along the interior of the offensive line. Hutson was even getting some of the first-team reps at guard.

Moreover, Hutson is definitely one of the four true freshmen that have legitimate chances of winning a starting spot in the trenches this fall. The other three are the aforementioned Banks and Williams, along with the former top-rated IOL and five-star Bowie recruit Devon “DJ” Campbell. Especially with Angilau out for the season now, there is a vacuum along the interior of the offensive line.

What really stands out about Hutson’s progress this offseason for Flood and the Longhorns is the fact that he was able to get a leg up on the competition by enrolling early. Hutson definitely took advantage of the early reps he was able to get in spring ball. He even got his body right ahead of the start of fall camp, which is a big reason why he’s competing at such a high level in fall practice.

At 6-foot-5 and 305-pounds, Hutson gives the Longhorns some beef and punch along the interior of the offensive line that Flood and this staff really want in the trenches. He looks like the ideal guard for Flood and the Longhorns to roll with heading into the future. And with Hutson showing some signs now that he’s ready to make an impact against Power Five-caliber competition, it would make sense if he wins a starting job in the trenches for the opener next month.