Tom Herman’s depth chart, via Tom Herman

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With Saturday’s Family Day scrimmage in the books, and a scout team now clearly identifiable thanks to their black jerseys, the depth chart heading into the beginning of Tom Herman’s second season as head coach of the Longhorns is beginning to take shape.

Inside Texas gave a rundown of what to expect from the depth chart next week when Texas officially releases one as part of the game notes for week one’s game at Maryland.

On Monday, Herman ran through several positions and what the order of priority looked like at each, including the high profile QB spot.

QUARTERBACK

After two straight seasons as the opening day starter, Buechele has been unseated by the true sophomore in Ehlinger, as IT noted early Monday. Herman mentioned Ehlinger has thrown the ball better and has sat in the pocket much more comfortably in camp in 2018.

“Sam (Ehlinger) took the bulk of the reps with the ones today,” Herman said Monday. “Shane (Buechele) took most of the reps with the twos. I think barring any sort of catastrophe between now and the Maryland game, that’s the way it’ll be. We’ll see as the next 12 days progress if that merits a change but as of now that’s what we’re planning on.”

Ehlinger’s ability to make plays on the ground with his 230-plus pound frame aren’t as easily identifiable on days like Monday where there was no tackling to the ground, but that skill is something he brings that Buechele, through no real fault of his own, cannot match.

Herman made sure to note the decision to put Ehlinger at the top of the depth chart wasn’t easy, as Buechele did well in the past few weeks.

“Let’s make no mistake, Shane Buechele had a great camp,” Herman said. “A great camp. He didn’t do really anything wrong. We just feel like there’s a lot of years of coaching experience on our staff and neither of them did anything to justify saying you can’t win with that guy. It was just a matter of who do we feel gives you the best chance to win in the first game. We’ll see if we’re right.”

There are no plans to rotate QBs for the first game, Herman added. He also noted Buechele was disappointed with the news, but reacted in a mature fashion and told the coaches he would be ready when needed.

Behind Ehlinger and Buechele are a pair of true freshmen in Cameron Rising and Casey Thompson.

With the new redshirt rule, there’s a chance both could see limited action this year assuming the duo ahead of them remains healthy, or neither earn playing time above the two veterans.

Herman was asked about Rising and noted his ability, but he’s still a freshman and learning to assimilate to the speed of the game.

“The talent is certainly there,” Herman said. “Just the speed of the game and experience. We had a conversation with him too and told him the future was bright. He was very happy. He agreed with his position and is excited to continue to learn and let the game slow down for him.”

Herman mentioned he would prefer to redshirt Rising.

The Longhorns’ head coach was also asked about Thompson. The son of Oklahoma QB Charles Thompson, Herman saw some of Casey’s father in his play.

“I see the ‘it factor’ for sure,” Herman said. “He’s got a confidence about him. Obviously, his dad was just so proficient in that offense, lethal because of his decision making ability, his explosiveness as an athlete, then he could throw the ball too. Do I see a little bit of that in Casey? Certainly, but what we’re asking him to do is a lot different, too, than the wishbone.”

RUNNING BACK

Herman spoke last week about figuring out a “pecking order.” He gave a look as to what that pecking order looks like Monday.

With running back in a run-centric offense, Herman noted playing only one would not be “good business.”

“I think there’s Danny (Young), Tre Watson, and Keaontay Ingram,” Herman said. “Then right behind them Kyle Porter and Toneil Carter. Behind them, Kirk Johnson and Tristian Houston. I don’t know if that’s a pecking order or not but I think in terms of amount of reps that guys get in practice, the percentages will reflect that.”

WIDE RECEIVER

Not mentioned Monday.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Several knowns and unknowns exist in the offensive trenches for Texas.

Herman said the chart at left tackle had Calvin Anderson in front of Denzel Okafor. Right tackle was described as “still a bit of a battle” between Derek Kerstetter and Sam Cosmi.”

Center, left guard, and right guard were called “certainly solidified” by Herman, but said more mixing and matching took place on the interior of the line than on the outside. As a result, Kerstetter is receiving practice reps at center and guard, Okafor is receiving reps at guard, and Elijah Rodriguez is receiving reps at center.

LINEBACKER

Not mentioned Monday

DEFENSIVE LINE

Not mentioned Monday

SECONDARY

Herman told reporters that Caden Sterns was first string opposite Brandon Jones at safety. Backing up Sterns was fellow true freshman B.J. Foster.

Davante Davis absence allowed for other corners to get work opposite Kris Boyd.

“If we had to play tomorrow, a healthy Davante Davis would be that corner,” Herman said. He’s been out for a week with a tweaked hamstring. He should be back full go, ready to go on Wednesday.”

In his stead, Kobe Boyce and Anthony Cook have worked at corner.

KICKER

“Nobody is really separating,” Herman said. “I think we’re probably going to give it through this week to really finalize that.”