4 Texas true freshmen who burned redshirts in first half

Jordon Johnson-Rubell, S

Texas's depth in the safety rotation was impacted last weekend by the unfortunate season-ending lower-body injury to sophomore safety Derek Williams Jr.

The Longhorns were utilizing a three-man safety rotation in most games in the first half of the regular season, including redshirt junior Michael Taaffe, Williams, and senior Andrew Mukuba. Sophomore Jelani McDonald also figured into the safety rotation early this season in a few games.

The safety rotation is now likely going to be down to three guys, including Taaffe, McDonald, and Mukuba, after the season-ending injury Williams suffered last weekend in the Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma.

"As far as guys stepping up, our depth is insane on the defensive end and so that's what's made us so special this year. It's not going to be just one guy. We rotate all the time. If you look at the safety snaps, Jelani McDonald probably has close to as many snaps as I do, especially the games that he was healthy for, so it shouldn't affect our room."

- Michael Taaffe

Texas does have added options in depth in the safety room, with true freshmen Jordon Johnson-Rubell and Xavier Filsaime. Johnson-Rubell has figured into the safety rotation pretty consistently late in games early this fall.

Johnson-Rubell is one of the six defensive players for the Longhorns who burned their redshirts by playing in over four games this fall. He's also one of the over half-dozen true freshmen on the defensive side of the ball for the Longhorns who played over 50 defensive snaps this season..

With Williams out for the rest of the season, it probably wouldn't have mattered if Texas's staff had previously planned to preserve Johnson-Rubell's redshirt.