Under-the-radar Texas Longhorns football players to track and the stats that explain why

With the talent on the current Texas Longhorns football roster, a lot of players fly under the radar. If your name doesn’t end with Baxter, Hill, Simmons, Goosby, Wingo, or, of course, Manning, you may not have been talked about too much this preseason.

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Let’s shine a light on some of these players who could become major factors as the season goes on.

1) Colton Vasek

The only proper word to describe Vasek when he’s playing is animalistic. He puts EVERYTHING he has into the pass rush. To the point where sometimes he can lose control of his body and almost take himself out of a play. With his role being more defined as a backup to fellow Chap Ethan Burke and not having to prove himself as a 3rd or 4th stringer, we should see some of that control harnessed in with the 2025 season.

Some stats to love – 21.9% pressure rate and 6.3% sack rate, compare that to Colin Simmons at 19.8% and 4.0%. Simmons was facing ones and twos as opposed to whoever Vasek saw in blowouts. All that’s left is for Vasek to show his skills in quarters one through three.

2) Liona Lefau

Anthony Hill Jr. rightfully gets a lot of love, but Lefau may be under appreciated right now. Last year he started out behind David Gbenda, but he moved into the top 11 vs. Oklahoma and never looked back. Texas already may boast one of the best starting linebacker rotations in the country, especially with the positive notes about Trey Moore and Ty’Anthony Smith this fall. Lefau was a top-50 run and pass defender in 2024. He may not have been talked about enough.

Some stats to love – Had a 9.6% missed tackle rate versus the run in 2024 compared to 10.8% for Hill. He is a more than capable pass defender, allowing a team best 48.5 passer rating when targeted. But wait there’s more! Lefau is no slouch rushing the QB, he boasts an 18.5% pressure rate with a 7.4% sack rate.

3) Christian Clark

The position that Texas probably has needed more out of in the last two years is the running back position. With consistent decline in rushing numbers across the board, Texas needs another Bijan Robinson. So maybe the best place to look is Arizona. He will likely get a shot sooner or later.

Some stats to love – has yet to play college

4) Emmett Mosely V

Steve Sarkisian has talked about him, calling him limited this week due to an injury he arrived on campus with. However, familiarize yourself with his name because he will eventually wiggle his way into the rotation.

It’s not easy to get more than 50 targets as a freshman, but he did that in 2024. Stanford hasn’t exactly been the CFB power they were at under Jim Harbaugh and David Shaw, but his 2024 stats at the Power Four level were impressive and shows an ability to learn an offense quickly.

Some stats to love – Mosely V was the second most targeted WR in motion for the Cardinal with 15.3% of his targets in motion. He also was a sure-handed receiver, only dropping 5.1% of passes. For comparison Matthew Golden in 2024 was 4.5%, and Ryan Wingo was also 5.1%.

5) Ty’Anthony Smith

Speaking of Smith, the competition for Lefau was real this preseason. The second-year product from Jasper saw most of his snaps on special teams thanks to a willingness to be physical time and time again. Lefau needs to be physical at 216 pounds, and he’ll have plenty of chances to in Lefau’s stead this year.

Some stats to love – Smith posted a quality 5.9% missed tackle and broken tackle percentage on run plays while notching a 40% pressure rate and 10% sack rate. Of course, he also logged a leaping interception against Kentucky that showcased his athleticism.

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Talking season is almost over and the season is just about to start. Not all of these Horns will come through and prove themselves immediately, but they will make their presence known and maybe steal some of the spotlight as they gain more experience