2 Texas players who moved to RB in Tuesday's fall practice

Juan Davis

The other Texas skill player on the offensive side of the ball who reportedly took reps at running back in Tuesday's practice on Aug. 13 was senior tight end Juan Davis.

Davis can fill more of that H-back role for the Longhorns offense this fall. What made these losses so significant for Texas, losing stronger downhill rushers in zone blocking schemes, is the fact that they're both similar backs stylistically regarding their usage and strengths in Sarkisian's offensive scheme with the run game.

Not only does the 6-foot-4 and 235-pound Davis bring good size and blocking ability to the table for the Longhorns in the backfield, but he is also an experienced blocker and receiver in Sarkisian's offense after having taken multiple years of practice reps in camp. He's also taken over three dozen reps either out of the backfield or in that H-back role at tight end for the Longhorns in live-game action on offense in the last three years (since 2021).

"Part of the development for those guys is in the weight room and their own physical maturation. Part of it is having a real understanding schematically and them having confidence and part of it is them growing up in our culture. So that whole developmental process for them, we're now seeing the best version."

- Steve Sarkisian

A good point brought up by Horns247's Eric Henry on Aug. 14 (paid content) was his saying that Davis can also fill that "Wildcat" formation role after junior running back Savion Red transferred out of the program during the spring portal window this offseason. Sarkisian likes to utilize those Wildcat formations to pick up those key short-yardage first downs and touchdowns around the goal line on offense.

Davis is the bigger body player who can run downhill and between the tackles in those short-yardage and goal line packages to alleviate the concerns after Red transferred out this offseason at running back.

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