Top five newcomers for Texas Longhorns football this season
The Texas Longhorns first football season under Steve Sarkisian is just 12 days away. That means plenty of newcomers will be hitting the field with the ability to make a difference.
There are two or three positions where the newcomers can make instant impacts on the 2021 team, including at receiver and several spots along the defensive front.
Here are five newcomers to watch in the Longhorns’ season opener on September 4.
- Xavier Worthy, WR, Freshman, Fresno (Calif.) Central East
The 6-foot-1, 160-pound freshman has to become the top receiver on the team. He has a combination of quickness and big play speed no other receiver on the roster possesses. That combined with Jordan Whittington’s continued inability to stay healthy adds to Worthy’s importance. That’s a lot to put on the On3 five-star prospect, but Worthy has performed at a high level since arriving in June. He has learned the offense, and passed toughness tests in August.
2. Keilan Robinson, RB, Junior TR, Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College High
The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder was a four-star prospect when he signed with Alabama out of St. John’s College High School. His acceleration and ability to make chunk plays is badly needed in the Longhorn program. Robinson is also viewed as a prospect that can make plays in the passing game, whether out of the backfield or lining up in the slot. Rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries at Alabama.
3. Ovie Oghoufo, EDGE, Junior TR, Lathrup Village (Mich.) Harrison
Oghoufo and Ray Thornton will be key if Texas is to play well at the EDGE position. The 6-foot-3, 237-pound Notre Dame transfer flashed very well at times for the Fighting Irish. His combination of initial quickness and physicality on contact with a controlled body is needed. Oghoufo played in 20 games at Notre Dame in three seasons. He recorded 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
4. Byron Murphy, DT, Freshman, DeSoto (Texas)
The interior of the Texas defensive line is the most talented and important position this season. The returnees have size and power with Keondre Coburn and T’Vondre Sweat. That plays perfectly into Murphy’s skill set. The 6-foot-0.5, 295-pounder wins with initial quickness, and has the ability to change direction and pursue. Murphy should get plenty of one-on-one opportunities when lined up next to Coburn or Sweat. Alfred Collins and Murphy have to be backfield disruptors for the Longhorns this season.
5. Ray Thornton, EDGE, Senior TR, Killeen (Texas) Shoemaker
Like Oghoufo, LSU transfer Thornton will play a key role for the Longhorns off the EDGE this season. Thorton played in 41 career games for the Tigers. He posted 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in Baton Rouge.
Also considered were EDGE Ben Davis, EDGE Barryn Sorrell and TE Juan Davis.
