Offense
Key returners: Sam Ehlinger, Samuel Cosmi, Derek Kerstetter
Key losses: Collin Johnson, Devin Duvernay, Zach Shakelford
Key additions: Bijan Robinson, Tarik Black
Star player: Ehlinger
Name to look for: Joshua Moore, Jordan Whittington
There is no question that Sam Ehlinger is the straw that stirs the drink for the Texas Longhorns on offense. The senior is looking for his opportunity to take Texas back to the top. This is likely his final shot at a conference championship and college football playoff berth. Well unless he does the unthinkable and comes back for a fifth year.
Behind Ehlinger, there are three capable running backs who can take over a game at a moments notice. Ingram, Johnson and Robinson all will have their opportunity to carry the rock for this offense. There is an insurmountable amount of buzz around freshman running back Bijan Robinson. His time to shine will come but for now it likely becomes running back by committee in 2020. Just ride the hot hand.
It has been mentioned time and time again, the Longhorns have to find an answer at wide receiver. Jake Smith takes over the Duvernay role. Many feel it will suit him well with his quickness in space. He finished with six touchdowns last year, only second to Duv. Brennan Eagles was the second-leading receiver last season and in line to take over Johnson’s spot at the “X”.
However, the newcomer Tarik Black has been more impressive in camp according to reports. He will likely man the role outside with Joshua Moore on the opposite side. Redshirt freshman Jordan Whittington should be in the rotation at the slot and could play running back in a hybrid role. Yurcich will need to find which group works best on offense. Luckily, they have plenty of options to rotate in. A dark horse to watch is Kelvontay Dixon, the freshman speedster out of Carthage.
Tight end will have Cade Brewer as the starter. Behind him are a combination of Malcolm Epps and Jared Wiley. Brayden Liebrock could find his way into the rotation at some point in the near future. Brewer hasn’t been the receiver he was at the high school level. At Lake Travis he caught 118 passes in three seasons racking up 1,736 yards and 29 touchdowns. Can Yurcich and Boulware get that level of receiver out of him again?
Samuel Cosmi and Derek Kerstetter lead the group on the offensive line. Cosmi viewed as a top 15 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Kerstetter was the highest rated blocker according to Pro Football Focus. Junior Angilau will man the guard spot in between them. The right side is where the questions are. Isaiah Hookfin, Denzel Okafor and Christian Jones battling it out for the final two spots. For now, Hookfin and Okafor could be your starters. That is an area to watch all season.
My projected starters on offense:
| QB | Sam Ehlinger |
| RB | Roschon Johnson |
| WR | Tarik Black |
| WR | Jake Smith |
| WR | Joshua Moore |
| TE | Cade Brewer |
| LT | Samuel Cosmi |
| LG | Junior Angilau |
| C | Derek Kerstetter |
| RG | Isaiah Hookfin |
| RT | Denzel Okafor |