Texas football has made it through spring ball and it’s time to look forward to the 2018 season. What’d we learn about the Longhorns this spring?
Tom Herman is heading into his second season with Texas football and, if he has it his way, the Longhorns could be due for a breakout. They finished just 7-6 a year ago with a Texas Bowl win over Missouri, which is already a step up from the Charlie Strong era.
With a quarterback battle looming, the Longhorns could be in for a long remainder of the offseason with Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger duking it out. Did either stand out this spring?
The rest of the Big 12 will be on notice this season as Herman could have his squad ready to approach the 10-win mark and contend for the conference title. He brought in an elite recruiting class and returns 12 starters. Is this the year Texas finally returns to the national spotlight?
What’d we learn about the Longhorns this spring?
5. Tight ends will have major role
For the first time in a while, there could be tight ends who have major roles in Austin. The Longhorns haven’t effectively utilized the tight in in years, but times could be changing as the spring game showcased Andrew Beck and Reese Leitao being targeted and used in extensive ways in the offense other than decoys in the passing game.
Sophomore Cade Brewer could be pushing for starting snaps, but he missed the entire spring due to a knee injury, allowing Leitao to make up some ground. The redshirt freshman has been lauded for his tremendous upside, and he showcased that this spring.
Beck, a senior, could be the starter after spring ball despite missing the entire 2017 season. He has just 12 career receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
The tight end position will have a major role in 2018 for the Longhorns.