4 Texas true freshmen who burned redshirts in first half

Ryan Wingo, WR

The explosiveness and impressive playmaking ability of true freshman wide receiver Ryan Wingo was put on full display by Sarkisian and the Longhorns in the regular season's first half. Wingo has been an explosive play machine for the Longhorns this season, leading the team in explosive plays generated and yards per catch.

In a superstar-studded class of true freshman wideouts from the 2024 signing class in college football that features Alabama's Ryan Williams and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, Wingo has managed to somehow fly under the radar nationally.

Despite being the second-highest-graded true freshman wide receiver in the P4, Wingo hasn't received the same level of national praise and recognition in the media as other first-year wideouts like Smith, Williams, and even Auburn's Cam Coleman.

After a half-dozen games played to start his collegiate career, Wingo ranks third on the team in receiving yards (296) and is tied for second in receiving touchdowns.

But don't forget about the impact Wingo has made on Texas's offense moving the chains and getting explosive plays in more ways than one this season. He has two rushes for a whopping 80 yards in Texas's two double-digit wins over ranked foes (55 yard run vs. Michigan and 25-yard run vs. Oklahoma).

It goes without saying that not many of us expected Wingo to take a redshirt this season. What has been surprising in a very positive sense is just how impactful Wingo has been immediately when it comes to Texas extending the field in the passing game and generating long and explosive plays on offense.