At most programs, a 7-3 record in the tumultuous conditions of 2020 would have been considered a huge success. After four seasons and a 32-18 record, the Longhorns moved on from coach Tom Herman. In comes former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian and the Texas fan base has renewed optimism. Sark was last the head coach at USC, where he was fired after only five games into his second season there. He is one of the brightest offensive minds in the college game, and Texas has been an offensive force for many seasons.
Quarterbacks
Casey Thompson – rSo
Thompson ran the first-team offense and looked in command from the get-go. He moves well in the pocket and throws accurately on the run. He completed 23 of his 42 pass attempts for 242 yards and a pair of interceptions. Thompson did have a beautiful pass that was dropped in the end zone.
Thompson has waited his turn and for his jersey number – he now wears the number 11 vacated by Sam Ehlinger. Thompson doesn’t have the arm to make big throws consistently downfield, but he is accurate and throws a catchable ball within the first 30 yards. He leaves the spring practice as the presumptuous starter and will be a value in your C2C draft.
Hudson Card – rFr
Most assumed the highly-touted Card was going to be the starter, and he had a solid game as well. He completed 15 of 25 attempts for 168 yards and a touchdown. The numbers at a glance look much better. Card didn’t have the command of Thompson and was playing against the second-team defense.
There’s a lot to love about Card; if he wins the job, the Longhorns will definitely be fine in his hands. Both quarterbacks move well, but Thompson’s movement and play speed are much faster at this time. Card was skittish and didn’t seem to settle at all on Saturday. The numbers supported Card, but in watching the game, Thompson has better control of the offense and reads defenses much quicker.
Running Backs
Bijan Robinson – So
Robinson is effortlessly amazing – I think he is the best running back in college football at this moment, and it’s not even close. He runs with power, control, finesse, balance and makes picking up tough yards look beautiful. Robinson toted the rock ten times and gained 52 yards while scoring a touchdown on the ground. He also caught four passes for 27 yards. I could wax poetic about Bijan all day, check out this run instead – he’s the next great running back.
Gabe Watson – Sr
A grad transfer who led Division II in rushing in 2018 with 1,980 yards and 27 touchdowns, Watson spelled Robinson and had 52 yards on eight carries. He has good feet and shifts directions quickly; I haven’t watched him before this game, but he could get some carries in relief of Robinson.
Roschon Johnson – Jr
The true jack of all trades, Johnson carried the ball seven times for 28 yards, two passes for 17 yards, and can do everything for the Longhorns. He’s a fun college player, but I don’t see a defined path to fantasy prominence in C2C and NFL.
Wide Receivers
Jordan Whittington – rSo
Whittington has taken a long path in his college career, and if he could emerge as a top source of targets, it would be an amazing story. Since arriving in Austin as a five-star recruit and the 34th-ranked player in the 2019 class, he’s only played in six games. In this game, he was the receiver of the game with five catches for 56 yards, including the crazy catch below. Texas needs pass catchers to emerge, and this game featured many drops, and the receivers as a whole did not look good.
Joshua Moore- rJr
The team’s leading receiver in 2020, with 30 catches for 472 yards and nine touchdowns, Moore had an uneven game. He did catch three passes for 33 yards and should be the defacto lead receiver. The touchdown drop above in the Thompson highlight was a catch Moore should have made. Moore is someone to grab later in C2C drafts, but I don’t have high fantasy expectations for any receiver in this offense yet.
Marcus Washington – Jr
Washington grabbed a pair of passes for 25 yards in the spring game and scored the games’ final touchdown. He’s another to keep a tab on, but I don’t have him ranked in my top-150 college receivers.
Troy Omeire – rFr
Omeire donned a black no-contact jersey in the game and had one grab for 22 yards. He is the receiver we have highest in our C2C rankings, and if he’s healthy, he could be the most dominant one. Omeire has great size and speed, plays strong, and has a massive catch radius. On own Felix Sharpe has a phenomenal write-up on the second-year Longhorn receiver.
Other Notes
- On Saturday, the receiving room received a huge commitment. Four-star Xavier Worthy, released from his commitment to Michigan, announced he would be joining Texas in the fall.
- To watch the game, click here
