Five instant-impact candidates from Texas' 2023 recruiting class
Texas’ No. 3 recruiting class in the 2023 cycle featured a number of players who not only are talented enough to play early, but also are likely to find opportunity in their first season on campus. What could come as a surprise to many non-Texas observers is that the highest-rated player in the class, Arch Manning, might not have the opportunity to play like others who signed to play for the Longhorns with him.
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Enrolling early helps, and all of the players listed who are leading candidates to contribute during their freshman year arrived in the winter and went through spring drills. It’s not a requirement for early contributions, but it is something that puts players a step ahead of their summer enrollee peers.
It’s also far easier to make an impact as a freshman at a skill position. There’s an adage that says the closer to the football you are, the harder it is the play early. For physically demanding positions featuring large humans in the trenches, that certainly holds true. However, Texas has been the home to several exceptions in the recent past.
That’s why this list has plenty of skill position stars. Here are five players from Texas’ 2023 class who have good odds to make an instant impact.
5. DeAndre Moore Jr.
Moore, one of the late adds to the class during the 2023 class’s initial signing period, took to the slot position during his first spring in Austin. He had a rough-and-tumble spring game that included some hard hits and drops, but his efforts in spring saw him end up as the No. 2 slot behind Jordan Whittington.
4. Johntay Cook
Cook signing with Texas ended a high-profile recruitment for one of the top pass-catchers in the nation. It also helped Texas plant a flag not only at DeSoto, but along the IH-20 corridor in the DFW Metroplex. Cook succeeded early during spring drills, and while he’s likely to be Xavier Worthy‘s understudy in the 2022 season, he’s talented enough to see the field early and often and should contribute in the passing game.
3. Malik Muhammad
Nick Saban and countless head coaches of other Power 5 programs wanted Muhammad in their class, but it was Steve Sarkisian and Terry Joseph who signed the two-time state champion from South Oak Cliff. While the cornerback room is stocked with experience via Ryan Watts, Terrance Brooks, Gavin Holmes, and, situationally, Jahdae Barron, Muhammad has cover skills that could help him see the field early in his career considering the rotation often seen at the position. Plus, he’ll have opportunities on special teams such as kickoff or punt block.
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2. CJ Baxter
With Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson off to the NFL, the chance for the five-star back to earn carries in 2023 is there for the taking. There are other backs who have been in the program multiple years like Jonathon Brooks, Keilan Robinson, and Jaydon Blue, but Baxter has a combination of size and athleticism that Blue and Robinson can’t match. Brooks has a leg up on Baxter via three years in the offense with occasional first-string or in-game opportunities. Acclimation to Sarkisian’s various run schemes will determine how much Baxter plays considering he possesses as much talent as anyone in Tashard Choice‘s position group.
1. Anthony Hill
Hill is already a factor at two different linebacker positions, Sam and Will, and is pushing more experienced players even in his first few months on campus. If Hill is not an every-down player, he is one of the more athletic pass-rushers on the team already and could be deployed in special situations. Should he pair his athleticism and downhill ability with quality pass defense and play recognition, he’d immediately become one of the more fearsome defenders in the Big 12.
