Texas Football: 4 Horns true freshmen that will have biggest impact in 2023

Johntay Cook II, WR

There is no lack of playmakers that the Longhorns signed at the skill positions on the offensive side of the ball in the 2023 class. Texas got a loaded class at the wide receiver and running back positions, highlighted by five-stars such as DeSoto wide receiver Johntay Cook II and Orlando (FL) Edgewater running back CJ Baxter Jr.

Cook was the highest-rated wide receiver recruit in the Longhorns 2023 class, leading a group that included other highly touted blue-chips in DeAndre Moore Jr. and Ryan Niblett. And he showed during spring ball why he was such a highly-rated recruit coming out of high school.

Cook showed right away this spring how special of a playmaker he can be at the wide receiver position. We heard about Cook impressing those in and around the program during the spring with his impressive route running and body control.

As long as Cook continues to show these special playmaking, route running, and after-the-catch abilities heading into fall camp, he will be an impact skill player to watch in the two-deep at wideout during the season.

Verdict: Impact playmaker

CJ Baxter Jr., RB

Texas signed the nation’s No. 1 running back recruit in the 2023 class, the talented Florida native Baxter.  It is expected that Baxter will be able to impact Texas’ ground game right away, thanks to his special combination of size, speed, balance, and field vision.

Baxter will be a key cog in this running back room this year as Texas looks to replace a lot of departing production at the position with Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson taking their talents to the NFL this offseason. He’ll compete for touches out of the backfield for Texas this fall along with redshirt sophomore Jonathon Brooks, sophomore Jaydon Blue, and redshirt senior Keilan Robinson.

It’s worth noting that this 247Sports article mentions that Baxter isn’t likely to be the starting running back at the outset of the 2023 season. Brooks is mentioned in this article as the projected starting running back heading into the fall.

Yet, Baxter still can push Brooks for the first-team reps out of the backfield in fall camp. Baxter did receive some first-team practice reps at running back in team drills during the spring, namely when Brooks was limited while recovering from hernia surgery.

If Baxter continues to impress in summer workouts and practice this fall, he will be one of the most utilized Longhorns running backs in the distribution of live-game touches.

Verdict: On the verge of an impact starter