The Longhorns' coaching staff did an unbelievable job in the 2025 recruiting cycle of finding quality football players from every part of the country. Though there are a handful of true freshmen that could see playing time on both sides of the ball this year, three specific defensive players stand out as we get closer to the season.
Based on what's been coming out of the team's media sessions and what's been happening on the field, we've come up with a list of three true freshman defensive players who could see a good amount of playing time in 2025.
CB/STAR Graceson Littleton - 6'0", 180 lbs.
Littleton has been impressing the Longhorns' coaching staff since the moment that he stepped on the practice field. Not only has he been standing out on special teams, but he's been working with the 1st-team defense quite a bit throughout fall camp.
By "working with" I mean he's been the starting star whenever Texas is in their Nickel and Dime packages. It was so incredible to see a true freshman trotting out with the starting defense when the coaching staff called them out in camp. Littleton's above-average athletic ability and processing skills could make him a vital piece to the defense in 2025. That's something that isn't usually said about a first-year player, especially at the University of Texas.
LB Elijah Barnes - 6'1", 244 lbs.
Barnes hasn't been talked about as much this offseason, but it appears as though he's in line to be the top depth option behind Anthony Hill Jr. at MIKE in 2025. The 4-star prospect and No.3 overall linebacker recruit in the nation has looked excellent throughout Texas' offseason program, and is built like an absolute tank already.
He could be a regular on the Longhorns' special teams units and see time in the base defense if Hill Jr. ever needs to come off the field in 2025. He could have the upper hand over someone like Ty'Anthony Smith at MIKE simply due to his strength and size.
DL Justus Terry - 6'5", 268 lbs.
Similarly to Barnes, Terry stands out on the field due to his sheer size and build. He's one of those guys that looks like they've already been in a collegiate weight lifting program for a couple of seasons.
Aside of his size, his athleticism is off the charts as well. He has been working at both JACK and defensive tackle throughout practice, though his "best" position is probably on the edge right now due to the influx of interior defensive line talent that Texas has brought in.
The coaching staff has said on multiple occasions that they'd like to play him everywhere, but they realize that it's not the best way to get Terry's "feet wet" in 2025.
Texas DL coach Kenny Baker spoke to the media about Terry's role going forward:
"Us as coaches, it’s, ‘Let’s play him every-damn-where.’ But you got to realize he just got here in January, so let’s find him a home, let’s specialize in these few things. And then as he continues to grow and evolve like we know he will — you look up at the end of this year or in a couple of years, he might be lining up at damn safety, you know what I mean? He’s just that talented."