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Texas

Opportunity arises for freshman wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon

by: Evan Vieth5 hours ago
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Daylan McCutcheon (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is selective about who he mentions in his press conferences before and during the season.

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If a player is mentioned, it’s probably for a good reason. Think about the number of quotes we’ve gotten about Graceson Littleton since the beginning of fall camp. When you recall some offensive players Sarkisian highlighted, Daylan McCutcheon is a name that rises quickly to the top of the list.

Both Sarkisian and Inside Texas have spoken highly of McCutcheon since the beginning of the offseason, with the idea that he’d have a premium role as a backup on this team, around the fifth or sixth option at wide receiver.

But heading into Week 3 against UTEP, Texas has been struck by the injury bug. DeAndre Moore Jr. went into concussion protocol last week against San Jose State and did not return in the second half. The starting slot receiver will likely miss this week’s game against the Miners.

Moore isn’t the only slot receiver hurt, as Stanford transfer Emmett Mosley has yet to play a snap for the Longhorns. The two were expected to enter the year as two of the team’s top four receivers, with both having the flexibility to line up inside or outside. Texas was expected to have a strong rotation of players at the wide receiver position.

But as we enter Week 3, outside receivers Parker Livingstone and Ryan Wingo are the only two healthy receivers with more than two receptions on the year. With Texas needing an answer at the slot receiver position, McCutcheon has the chance to make his name known this weekend.

“I think it is a great opportunity for Daylan. I give him a lot of credit. When he came into spring ball, spring ball is tough and you come mid-year, you should still be in high school,” Sarkisian said. “But he picked up what we did really well. It was natural to him. He wasn’t perfect, but his ability to learn multiple positions, to be fearless, that’s something as a freshman receiver that you need to be.”

Sarkisian was impressed with McCutcheon’s quick understanding of the offense and ability to throw himself into everything that is asked of a young wide receiver in Sarkisian’s offense. He was already known to be a strong slot receiver entering college, but McCutcheon has shown the ability to also play on the outside and return kicks if asked.

“He’s earned a lot of trust from us. That’s probably the biggest thing that has occurred,” Sarkisian said. “With trust comes more opportunities. With opportunities, what do you do? He’s got a great one here in front of him this week. If history is any indicator of the future, I think he’s going to maximize the opportunities that are presented to him this weekend.”

Sarkisian is confident in what he has with McCutcheon, even if that means being down to his No. 3 slot receiver. It’s rare to hear that kind of praise from a coach about his true freshman, especially one who didn’t enter with five stars associated with his name, but that’s exactly what you’re getting with McCutcheon. If he is a breakout player on Saturday, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

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