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Texas Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Chris Warren III #25 of the Texas Longhorns scores a touchdown against cornerback Josh Drayden #20 of the California Golden Bears in the first quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Chris Warren III #25 of the Texas Longhorns scores a touchdown against cornerback Josh Drayden #20 of the California Golden Bears in the first quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 15: Shane Buechele #7 of the Texas Longhorns scrambles for a first down against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half on October 15, 2016 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 15: Shane Buechele #7 of the Texas Longhorns scrambles for a first down against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half on October 15, 2016 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Tom Herman named Shane Buechele his starting quarterback for 2017 recently, but his statement didn’t exactly sound like a vote of confidence. In fact, he stated “as of today” Shane is the starting quarterback. That must mean true freshman Sam Ehlinger is pushing him more than people expected.

More: Texas Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Don’t let that fool you, though. This might just be a motivational technique by Herman. Saying that “as of today” he is the starting quarterback may push Buechele to be his best self throughout the remainder of camp and play his best ball during the 2017 season — not that he wouldn’t anyway.

Still, counting a guy like Buechele out is a bad idea.

Many would argue he had a breakout season as a true freshman, but if that were the case, he wouldn’t have people doubting him and calling for a true freshman to start over him in 2017. He’s going to have a monster year in 2017, though.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

Buechele did pass for 2,958 yards and 21 touchdowns, but he had 11 interceptions and completed just 60 percent of his throws. Expect all of those numbers to improve as he approaches the 3,500-yard mark in 2017 and takes the conference by storm.

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