3 Texas true freshmen who can breakout in second half

Jordon Johnson-Rubell, S

I'd argue that the two most under-the-radar true freshmen on the defensive side of the ball for the Longhorns who have shown a lot of promise in live-game action in multiple games this regular season are safety Jordon Johnson-Rubell and linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith.

Smith and Johnson-Rubell have both already burned their redshirts this season, making them each potential candidates for Texas on the defensive side of the ball to breakout in the second half among the guys from the 2024 recruiting class.

Johnson-Rubell will be needed to step up for Texas's safety rotation this season after sophomore safety Derek Williams Jr. suffered a season-ending injury on a kickoff play in kick coverage in Red River last weekend vs. OU. He's already played over a dozen defensive snaps in four games this season, ranking second-most of all true freshmen defenders for the Longhorns (per PFF).

While Texas has done a nice job getting these young true freshmen valuable live-game reps for most of the season, it feels like the need for the young guys to step up at the safety position is paramount entering late October in SEC play. Johnson-Rubell and fellow true freshman safety Xavier Filsaime both played double-digit defensive snaps in Texas's dominant win over OU last weekend.

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