Texas Football: 3 underclassmen standing out early in summer workouts

The limited early returns we’ve heard coming out of summer workouts for the Texas football program in the last couple of weeks have shed some light on how some of the younger players for this team are progressing ahead of the start of fall camp.

Summer workouts is a critical time, especially for younger Longhorns players, to get down to work in the film room and get their body right in the strength and conditioning program. Getting to work with strength and conditioning coach Torre Becton will be necessary for most of the underclassmen on campus this summer to get in the best physical shape possible heading into fall camp.

Texas has a host of underclassmen on both sides of the ball, especially among the true freshmen, that need to get bigger and/or in better shape ahead of fall camp. The highly touted 2023 recruiting class that Sark and the Longhorns staff brought features some key players capable of making an immediate impact this season if they make the right impression this offseason.

But the true freshmen aren’t the only Longhorns players among the underclassmen who need to take steps to either add weight or get in better shape ahead of fall camp.

Underclassmen making the right moves for Texas football early in summer workouts

With that in mind, here’s a look at three underclassmen making the right impression early in summer workouts for the Longhorns this offseason.

Cam Williams, OL

One of the most improved offensive linemen for the Longhorns among the underclassmen so far this offseason is the second-year Duncanville High School product, Cam Williams. The 6-foot-5 and 360-pound sophomore was expected to push for more playing time entering the 2023 season in camp this offseason.

Williams made an impression during the spring, mostly while taking first and second-team reps along the interior offensive line. Offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood and the Longhorns shifted Williams to offensive guard from tackle after a few key injuries opened up a spot on the first team in the latter stages of spring ball.

He also took first-team reps at offensive guard during the Orange-White Game on April 15.

Now that Williams has started to prove that he is capable of locking down a spot along the two-deep depth chart at multiple spots along the offensive line, he’ll need to make the right moves in the strength and conditioning program to get more mobile and versatile heading into the fall.

Williams clearly has the size and strong lower-base necessary to move bodies off the line of scrimmage, especially blocking for the run. If he can add that part to his game where he gets lighter on his feet and more agile during summer workouts, he’ll naturally become more adept as a pass blocker.

And it sounds like he’s proving his worth again early in the summer workout program. In a report last week, we mentioned that Williams has already “impressed” the coaches and his teammates with how hard he’s working in the weight room and on the practice field in conditioning in the last couple of weeks.

If he keeps making these moves in summer workouts and fall camp, I do no doubt that Williams will be able to push for starting reps heading into Week 1 against Rice at home.