One of the main benefits of playing lower-level opponents over the past few weeks has been the simple fact that Texas was able to get a lot of different players on the field who needed to gain experience. The Longhorns were able to get 75 different players onto the field against Sam Houston, and there are three specific players who they need to get in the permanent rotation going forward.
RB Christian Clark
2025 Stats: 27 atts., 115 rushing yards, 4.3 ypc., 1 TD - 3 rec., 48 receiving yards, 16,0 Y/R, 1 TD
Clark has been incredibly lethal and explosive with the ball in his hands in 2025. His ability to cut and accelerate is on the level of Tre Wisner, and there's a good chance that Steve Sarkisian sees Clark as the team's top receiving back moving forward.
He catches the ball with ease and knows how to get downfield in a hurry, often times breaking a tackle along the way to a 10-15 yard gain. Clark could be deadly in certain down-and-distance scenarios for the Longhorns' offense in 2025, and he's one offensive player who should see a higher snap share each week.
DE Lance Jackson
2025 Stats: 4 tackles, 1 TF, 1 sack
The true freshman defensive end looks like a junior when it comes to his overall build and body composition. His upper body and core strength allows him to fit the run extremely well, and he's been one of Texas' better run stoppers on the defensive line when he's on the field.
He's still developing his pass rush repertoire, but he's too talented to keep off the field in 2025. The 6'5", 255-pound edge rusher should definitely see more playing time heading into the bulky portion of Texas' schedule.
WR Ryan Niblett
2025 Stats: 2 recs., 43 receiving yards, 21.5 Y/R, 1 rush att., 6 rushing yards, 270 all-purpose yards
Niblett has already proven to be one of the Longhorns' most electric players as a kick and punt returner, but he's been effective on offense as well when given the chance. He's a better route-runner than he's given credit for, and he was efficient in the slot when DeAndre Moore Jr. was out with his concussion in week 3.
His ability to stop and start on a dime and hip flexibility could be something that Steve Sarkisian wants to have in this year's offense. A receiver group of Ryan Wingo, Parker Livingstone, DeAndre Moore Jr., Emmett Mosley V, Ryan Niblett, and Daylan McCutcheon sounds really enticing from an offensive standpoint.