Anthony Hill Jr., DJ Campbell, Jonathon Brooks lauded by Steve Sarkisian as team’s most improved players
Through the first eight games of the 2023 season, seventh-ranked Texas has produced its best start in 14 years, has defeated Alabama on the road (which is kind of a big thing) and has scored at least 30 points in every contest.
[Get 50 PERCENT off an Inside Texas annual subscription!]
A lot of that success has come from the production of proven players, guys like receiver Xavier Worthy, quarterback Quinn Ewers, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, offensive linemen Christian Jones and Kelvin Banks, defensive tackles T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy, linebacker Jaylan Ford and defensive backs Ryan Watts and Jahdae Barron.
Then there has been newcomers, namely transfer receiver Adonai Mitchell and punter Ryan Sanborn.
But a big part of the Longhorns’ ability to win seven of its first eight games and forge a spot at the top of the conference standings in their final year in the Big 12 has been the improvement of players who have contributed more than expected.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was asked Thursday in his final media availability before his team plays No. 25 Kansas State to list players who have improved the most over the course of the season.
His answer was no real surprise: freshman linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., sophomore offensive lineman DJ Campbell and sophomore running back Jonathon Brooks drew plenty of praise from their coach.
“One guy that stands out to me is Anthony Hill,” Sarkisian said. “He was the guy that was a highlight player early in the year, right? And he was getting his 15 or so snaps a game. But naturally, as a young player, you’re fighting for consistency to be counted on to do it right down after down after down.
“Anthony has grown into a position now where he’s starting and he’s very comfortable. He’s playing multiple snaps, we still see the highlight plays, we still see the big hits. He’s very violent player at the point of contact. But there’s a much more of a level of consistency in his play.”
As for Campbell, Sarkisian also lauded physicality. “DJ Campbell’s another guy, who was definitely a physical player, but he’s really grown into becoming the player that he is,” Sarkisian added.
The running back position was expected to be a platoon situation between Brooks, freshman CJ Baxter, situational runner Keilan Robinson and speedy but raw Jaydon Blue. Brooks has grabbed the reins and run with them, racking up four 100-yard rushing games among his 923 rushing yards (which ranks fifth in the FBS). Brooks also ranks sixth in all-purpose yards (1,135).
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t reference Jonathon Brooks (as one of the most improved players) because of just kind of where he was at the start of the season to where he is today,” Sarkisian said.
All those players will have big roles as the Longhorns battle Kansas State on Saturday afternoon at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas and K-State, the defending Big 12 champions, share first place in the league with three other teams.
All six of the Big 12 leaders play each other this weekend as the regular season turns to its final four games. The top two teams at season’s end will play in the conference championship game.
