86 days until Texas Football: Zac Swanson looks for opportunity in 2023
Inside Texas is putting a new twist on long-time photographer Will Gallagher’s countdown to Texas football kickoff. In addition to Will’s great pictures, the Inside Texas staff will go through every player on the roster by jersey number and offer a season outlook on each, from five-star to walk-on.
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We’ll also look back at other greats to wear that day’s number, with special reverence to some of Texas’ best.
Today is 86 days until kickoff. Two players will be wearing No. 86 for the Longhorns this season, Zac Swanson, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman, and Paxton Anderson, a senior wide receiver.
Zac Swanson season outlook
Swanson, a 6-foot-4, 259-pounder, saw limited action last year as adding bulk to his frame was his main priority over the course of the season. The Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep product possesses quickness and has given solid effort, but his contributions may continue to be limited until he approaches the 280-pound threshold.
Swanson played in two games in 2022, recording a solo tackle in the Longhorns’ season-opening win over ULM.
Zac Swanson as a recruit
Swanson was ranked as the No. 530 prospect, the No. 59 defensive lineman, and the No. 7 player in Arizona in the 2022 On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
Paxton Anderson season outlook
Anderson has appeared in blowouts versus UTEP, Rice, and ULM in his career. He’ll continue to be a valuable scout-teamer. His contributions to Dallas’ 2023 NFL draft efforts that saw DeMarvion Overshown picked up by the Cowboys should not go unnoticed.
Anderson, a walk on, has not recorded any statistics. He is a five-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (fall 2020, spring 2021, fall 2021, spring 2022, fall 2022).
Recent player to wear No. 86: Peter Ullman
Ullman played in 47 games over his four years at Texas and started twice, both in 2008. He had seven career catches for a total of 34 yards and two TDs, one in 2005 and another in 2006.
Ullman was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 performer and four-time member of UT’s Athletics Director’s Honor Roll.
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All-Americans to wear No. 86
Monte Lee, G, 1960
Joe Cook co-authored this story
