Ten best young players in the Texas Longhorns football program

We’ll define ‘young’ as first or second year players.

Texas recruited the 2022 and 2023 cycles incredibly well. The more talented the player, typically the earlier they’re ready to see playing immediate playing time.

Each of these players is ready to contribute this season, if not star, but some do have talented upperclassmen ahead of them.

10 Best Young Longhorns

1. LT Kelvin Banks 

Banks is the clear cut No. 1. He was also ranked as the best overall player on the team.

2. CB Terrance Brooks

One source mentioned if Texas played tomorrow Brooks would be the likely starter opposite Ryan Watts. He’s had a quietly good offseason and expectations are mounting. 

3. RB CJ Baxter Jr.

Baxter nearly made the Top 15 overall players list despite not having taken a real college snap yet. He might log more carries than any Texas running back this season.

4. LB Anthony Hill

The true freshman is going to play a ton this year, often in pass rushing situations. The program needs him to be ready for primetime from the get-go. 

5. OG Cole Hutson or DJ Campbell

When asked about offensive linemen not named Kelvin Banks, a source stated “One of Cole Hutson or DJ Campbell will start, problem is I don’t know who is better right now or more likely to start.” If Campbell beats out Hutson, something he couldn’t do last year, I imagine he’s going to have a pretty solid season. 

6. Edge Ethan Burke

The starting Buck outside linebacker is nowhere close to being a finished product. He’ll have his ups and downs this season but he’ll be better for it in the long run. Sources are still high on him as a junior/senior.

7. DB Jaylon Guilbeau

“A fully healthy Guilbeau is a good player.” He’ll be Jahdae Barron‘s primary backup at Star with a good chance of cementing himself as the future of the position. 

8. CB Malik Muhammad

Muhammad is going to play a lot as a true freshman thanks to his overall skill-set. He can cover, he can tackle, he can play the ball in the air, etc. Competition is fierce at the position, especially with the addition of portal transfer Gavin Holmes.

9. WR Johntay Cook

Cook has been as advertised since his early arrival last January. His snaps this season could be somewhat dependent on Isaiah Neyor‘s health, but he’s ready to play this year.

10. WR DeAndre Moore

Moore turned heads this Spring with better speed than most people originally thought. Jordan Whittington said the two had many similarities. That’s exciting because Moore does provide more a vertical element to his game. If he has J-Whitt’s ability in the short game, he could become a difference maker. But much like Cook, he’s going to have to bide his time.

Here’s a reminder of that speed:

There’s a ton of talent in the two most recent classes to hit campus. Keep in mind this list was made with expectations for only this season in mind.

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