Early position outlook: Many fresh faces at tight end

Alabama transfer Jahleel Billingsley was one of Texas’ best pickups in the offseason.

The tight end position will have a much different look in 2022.

The Horns lost three-year starter, Cade Brewer, to graduation and his backup Jared Wiley to the transfer portal.

With Texas in need of experience at tight end, Alabama transfer Jahleel Billingsley decided to reunite with Steve Sarkisian in Austin.

Billingsley totaled 37 receptions for 559 yards and six touchdowns in his three years at Alabama. He will serve as the older guy in the room with lots of young, but unproven talent behind him.

Texas has a trio of sophomores who will compete for playing time this spring.

Gunnar Helm, probably the best blocker of the group, got the most playing time out of the three a season ago. Helm appeared in all 12 games, mostly on special teams.

Former five-star Ja’Tavion Sanders has one of the highest ceilings out of anyone on the roster. Sanders had a bit of trouble adjusting to the college game in his freshman season, but he will now have a full offseason with the program to develop his game.

Juan Davis is a guy Steve Sarkisian speaks very highly of. Davis only played in two games last season recording just one catch.

If Billingsley picks up where he left off in Tuscaloosa and the younger guys step up, tight end could be one of the best position groups on the roster.

Texas Football Position Outlook: Quarterback

Here is Texas’ quarterback outlook heading into the 2021 season.

Very few positions in all of sports are under a microscope quite like the starting quarterback at the University of Texas. The pressure can be enormous but pay off when expectations are met (hello Vince Young and Colt McCoy).

A new starter is going to emerge during Steve Sarkisian’s first season in charge. Hudson Card and Casey Thompson have been battling ever since the first spring practice and are expected to until the season opener.

Three other quarterbacks are on the roster, with two being first-year true freshmen. Charles Wright is the only one on scholarship, while Ben Ballard and Cole Lourd are walk-ons.

If Sarkisian is known for his one thing, it is his quarterback development. Dating back to his time at USC, many first-round draft picks have been coached by the “quarterback guru.”

While only two guys may have the chance to start, a young quarterback room is in Austin.

Here is Texas’ quarterback outlook heading into the 2021 season.