Texas Football: 3 upperclassmen with most to prove in summer workouts

Morice Blackwell Jr., LB

There are two linebackers among the upperclassmen for the Longhorns that I’m really excited to see this summer, senior David Gbenda and junior Morice Blackwell Jr. The former of those two linebackers, Gbenda, had the best spring camp of his collegiate career to date. If he can continue to improve during the summer, Gbenda could start to solidify his spot as the starting will linebacker heading into fall camp.

Moreover, Blackwell is the linebacker of this upperclassman duo that I am most excited to see in terms of the progress he can show in the strength and conditioning program this summer. Blackwell has proven to be more than capable of being a contributor along the defensive front that can give Texas some good reps at sam linebacker in live-game situations.

The next step for Blackwell to take this year will be to add more muscle mass to his 6-foot-1 and 210-pound frame to get his body right to compete with a bigger snap load this fall. Blackwell only took around 75 defensive snaps at linebacker for Texas last season. I expect that snap count to rise significantly in 2023, but Blackwell has to show he’s physically ready for the increased workload in the weight room this summer.

Blackwell already has the natural instincts, ranginess, and pad-popping ability that he needs to be a really solid linebacker for the Longhorns. He just needs to add some muscle during the summer workout program while continuing to expand his game and overall versatility at the linebacker position heading into fall camp.

Eric Nahlin of Inside Texas reported on May 30 (paid content) that Blackwell is “flying under the radar” heading into summer workouts as someone that can still compete for first-team reps at linebacker in camp this fall. Blackwell has the potential to be one of the Longhorns players that makes the most progress during the summer if he’s able to hit the ground running in the weight room in the next couple of months.