Until the 2021 class, Tom Herman did an excellent job on the recruiting trail, rebuilding what was considered a rather poor roster. He pulled off back-to-back No. 3 rated classes in 2018 and 2019, followed by the No. 8 class the next year.
A big part of determining Steve Sarkisian’s early success will come from Herman’s final full recruiting cycle in 2020. They may not have been the highest rated on the 247Sports composite but may prove to provide the most NFL talent Texas has seen in a while.
Gerry Hamilton of On3sports and Inside Texas provided a list of three second-year Longhorn players to watch going into this season. A quarterback and two of his receivers feature, an offensive specialty for Sarkisian.
Here is Hamilton’s list:
The #Longhorns offense will look vastly different under Steve Sarkisian & the 2020 top 10 ranked recruiting class will need playmakers to come through. Three players from the class are expected to do just that with Bijan Robinson already established as a big time RB. @On3sports pic.twitter.com/QB3a33rktv
— Gerry Hamilton (@HamiltonESPN) July 12, 2021
Hudson Card may seem like the obvious one, competing for the starting quarterback job with Casey Thompson. There is reason to believe the Austin native will end up winning, even though he was with the second-team offense during the Orange and White.
He is more of a stereotypical pocket passing quarterback Sarkisian loves. Being quick and accurate in the RPO game, while also having the arm strength to deliver deep balls.
The two wide receivers mentioned bring two different dynamics.
Omeire was expected to be a breakout star during his true freshman season but tore his ACL in fall practice. Now that he is fully healthy, the former four-star recruit is expected to burst onto the scene with Sarkisian. Speed may not be Omeire’s forte but he may be the best pure receiver on the team.
Quite the opposite is true for Dixon. Speed is the name of the game for the Carthage native, showing it against Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. If during fall camp, Dixon can show he is ready to play, watch out.