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Texas football: Freshman other than Arch Manning worth keeping an eye on

By Matthew Lauster

AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 25: The Texas Longhorns stand for the playing of The Eyes of Texas after the game against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 25: The Texas Longhorns stand for the playing of The Eyes of Texas after the game against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Arch Manning is one of the most-hyped freshmen in college football history, but Texas football has more newcomers who will be huge for the Longhorns.

The Texas Longhorns spring game solidified what a lot of people around the program already knew: This is Quinn Ewers’ team going into the 2023 season. This has led fans to ask a lot of questions about what this means for Arch Manning and, moreover, which other young players could have a shot at contributing.

In Manning’s case, the answer is easy. He’s a freshman (albeit a highly talented and famous one) who enrolled early to jumpstart his development. Manning should just be finishing up high school. Instead, he’s in Austin already and working on his craft.

Arch Manning redshirting or sitting out his first year makes complete sense. Ewers is also a former 5-star recruit. Maalik Murphy, a former 4-star recruit, is also on the depth chart. This is a talented room for the Longhorns and there isn’t a need to rush Manning into action with a potential first-round pick in next year’s draft starting and an ultra-talented, big-armed quarterback like Murphy behind him.

As for other freshmen in Austin who can make an impact, there are at least a handful who should have a Day 1 impact.

Texas football: Freshman not named Arch Manning who can help Longhorns in 2023

Anthony Hill is the first who comes to mind. The 5-star recruit and No. 1 linebacker in the 2023 class has freakish athleticism. More important than that, he fills a need for the Texas defense.

Hill fills the void left by DeMarvion Overshown, who the Dallas Cowboys drafted in April. Moreover, the linebacker depth chart does not have an embarrassment of riches like the Longhorns do at quarterback. Outside of Jaylan Ford, there is plenty of room for players to come in and getting playing time, especially a freshman as talented as Hill. And that isn’t to discount another first-year linebacker, Liona Lefu, who has also impressed coaches in the spring.

Safety Derek Williams, coming out of Louisiana like Arch Manning, could also stand out on the defensive side of the ball. He committed shortly after Manning and his elite talent is needed on the back end for Texas.

In high school, he was a coveted recruit thanks to his athleticism, ball skills and his measurables. His ability quickly earned him his nickname, “The Raptor”, in spring camp. His long arms, speed and ability to react to plays definitely make him seem like a prehistoric predator on the field, which the Longhorns are lacking.

Running back Cedric Baxter could play a role in helping replace Bijan Robinson while there are also roles to possibly be played by wide receivers Johntay Cook II and DeAndre Moore Jr., edge rusher Colton Vasek, and cornerback Malik Muhammad.

In any case, though, while Arch Manning may not be much of a factor for the 2023 season, his fellow freshmen could indeed play a key role in helping Texas achieve the heights they hope to this year.

Next. How CFB teams will replace every first-round pick in the 2023 draft. dark

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