Texas Football: 3 second-year players with the most to prove in spring
DJ Campbell, IOL
Among the most obvious second-year Longhorns players with a lot to prove in the spring is the former elite five-star recruit and sophomore interior offensive lineman DJ Campbell. The top-ranked offensive line recruit in the Longhorns 2022 class showed flashes last season of what he could become at offensive guard with some more consistent reps in practice.
The 6-foot-3 and 320-pound Campbell got well over 100 offensive snaps, all at right guard, during his true freshman campaign in 2022. And Campbell continued to get better as the season progressed. He wound up as Texas’ highest-graded interior offensive lineman in pass blocking in the second half of last season.
The goal for Campbell this offseason will be to prove that he is someone that Sark and offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood can’t keep off the field in the fall. Campbell showed flashes of being the type of staple interior offensive lineman that the Longhorns need blocking in front of redshirt sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers.
If Campbell can show in the spring that he is truly becoming one of the most consistently proficient offensive linemen, especially in pass pro, he will be in a spot to push fellow sophomore guard Cole Hutson for a starting spot heading into the fall.
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Another reason why this spring is so big for Campbell is the fact that Hutson is expected to miss camp as he recovers from injury. The first-team reps will be Campbell’s for the taking in spring ball. This will be his biggest opportunity to win a starting job since he arrived on campus last summer.