A final look at Texas’ 2023 new arrival freshmen

Over the next couple days the current team will begin to trickle back into Austin after having a month off from organized team activities. They’ll be joined by the freshmen who didn’t enroll in January. While the team begins workouts again on Tuesday, May 30, the new arrivals will go through a mandated initiation process designed to help gauge their readiness and acclimate them to the rigors of college football.

Imagine being in their shoes. They have to be feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement, not just regarding the football transition, but also the life transition.

This group has a lot of catching up to do as the early enrollees hit the ground running. Here’s a final look at the balance of the 2023 class before they officially join their classmates.

S Derek Williams, Westgate (New Iberia, LA)

Williams is probably the most anticipated arrival given his raw ability, the fact Texas was able to sneak him out of Louisiana, and because he plays a ‘need’ position. While expectations should be high for a player of his caliber, not being an early enrollee should minimize those expectations in his first year. Still, I can’t wait to hear from sources about how he moves about the field and ballhawks in 7 on 7. My expectations for Williams as a true freshman are limited to special teams, but he should become a starter in his second year.

WR Ryan Niblett, Aldine Eisenhower (Houston, TX)

Niblett is another one who should make noise during Summer 7 on 7 sessions thanks to his 10.41 speed (as a junior). While he’s raw from a technical standpoint, he does have pure football ability that should help him translate relatively quick. He’ll probably need a year to climatize to the offense and finer points of route running, but there is a ton of upside for Chris Jackson to work with.

ATH Jelani McDonald, Connally (Waco, TX)

Athletic upside is a good descriptor for McDonald, who like Niblett, is also a track star after posting a 47′ 9″ triple jump at the state track meet. McDonald will start his career off at Star, but expect him to grow into a linebacker after his long frame fills out. McDonald is said to have a good football disposition, so if he combines that with his athleticism, he could become a freaky specimen for linebacker. Would a purer linebacker version of DeMarvion Overshown work for you?

Edge Tausili Akana, Skyridge (Lehi, UT)

Akana also has some filling out to do. He’s currently around 200 pounds which is quite slight for an Edge player. However, the early goal for Akana is to become a pass rusher first and foremost. They’ll worry about him becoming a three-down player as he physically matures.

S Warren Roberson, Red Oak (Red Oak, TX)

Roberson was the last addition to the class but he infused some real versatility. From an athletic and build standpoint, he’s sort of like Jordan Whittington, but Roberson will play safety. There his instincts and ball skills could serve him well in either the boundary or field. Roberson has the traits to become a contributor on special teams as a freshman.

LB S’Maje Burrell, North Crowley (Fort Worth, TX)

Texas took five linebackers in 2023 but due to versatility, there’s a lot of different potential outcomes for the position group. One thing is for sure, Burrell, along with Liona Lefau, is certain to stay at off-ball linebacker. He’ll be behind three of his classmates mentally but he has the mindset and physical maturity to catch up quickly.

OT Trevor Goosby, Melissa (Melissa, TX)

Goosby is one of the more developmental takes of the Kyle Flood tenure but his upside could well be worth the wait. He has legitimate left tackle traits and surprising explosion for the position. With a personal best of well over 57′ in the shot put, Goosby has the bend and flexibility to translate his athletic potential to the football field. It will take time, however.

RB Tre Wisner, DeSoto (DeSoto, TX)

I was happy for Wisner’s performance in the state championship game. He erupted and served the recruiting world a reminder of why he was so highly thought of early in his recruitment. His slashing running style will require a bit more bulk and strength, but his speed provides a home run threat, perhaps even at slot receiver.

Edge Billy Walton, South Oak Cliff (Dallas, TX)

Walton was a bigger priority for Texas than people realized. He may have been Malik Muhammad’s cousin to some fans, but that wasn’t the internal take on him. While he has some feeling out to do, he plays with good leverage and motor. There are elements of Walton that remind me of Joseph Ossai but I can’t quite make a clean comparison. Walton has a good mental eval, but Ossai was 10/10 in that regard.

TE Spencer Shannon, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)

Shannon is sort of like Colton Vasek in that the starter kit is evident. He’s long, and partially filled out, but still has a ton of room for growth. That’s a nice combination of floor and ceiling that will help him translate his quality blocking tape to college. He should be a quick responder to S&C and I wouldn’t rule him out as a partial contributor this year in certain situations.

WR Will Randle, Isidore Newman (New Orleans, LA)

Randle’s another with a good football mentality. Maybe he’s not the most dynamic receiving threat for the flexed tight end position, but football intelligence is an underrated aspect of tight end play. Of course he’s still coming back from an ACL injury suffered last fall.

If you’re reading between the lines, I don’t have a ton of immediate expectations for this class. That’s evidence of roster health and the value of enrolling early; it’s certainly not a knock on their ability.

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