Texas spring game 2018: Players and storylines to watch

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 27: Texas Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) looks to throw during the second half of action between Texas vs Missouri in the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium, Wednesday, December 27, 2017, in Houston. Texas Longhorns defeated Missouri Tigers 33-16. (Photo by Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns watches players warm up before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

The Tom Herman Era starts its second season with the 2018 spring game for Texas football. What should fans watch for on April 21?

Tom Herman took over as head coach of the Texas football program for the start of the 2017 college football season. The Longhorns struggled for three years under Charlie Strong, who was relieved of his duties after 2016 closed. So Herman had expectations to fill that Strong did not, including not making a bowl game in consecutive years and keeping the school competitive in a Big 12 that featured strong offenses from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia.

Well, after one season of play, Herman compiled a 6-6 record. He pushed it to 7-6 after a Texas Bowl win against Missouri.

For 2018, expectations will potentially increase for the second-year head coach. It’s Texas, after all, a program that strives for excellence each season, even though that has rarely happened since Mack Brown stepped down. This likely starts with out-doing the 7-6 record from 2017 and reach closer to 10 wins, or noticeable improvement. Otherwise, Longhorn fans will clamor for another coaching change to find the proper leader.

Before any of this happens, the annual spring game will take place for Texas. It’s on Saturday, April 21 Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. You can start a free 7-day trial to watch on Fubo TV.

With a new season comes position battles, storyline developments and notes taken for the Longhorn team. Which ones should fans watch for when the new-look squad takes the field? Is there a particular angle that must be watched? Let’s take a look at the potential players and situations.

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