Tag: texas offensive line

Texas offensive lineman Denzel Okafor out for remainder of season due to leg injury

He is expected to undergo season-ending surgery.

On a play that resulted in a Texas touchdown against TCU, the end result was not all smiles. Super senior offensive lineman Denzel Okafor went down with an apparent leg injury and had to be carted off the field.

After blocking his man and helping open up a gap, Okafor seemed to get rolled up from behind, which is likely what caused the injury.

When Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke with the media on Monday, he announced that Okafor’s injury will require surgery and cause him to miss the remainder of the season.

This injury likely marks the end of the sixth-year senior’s college football career. With Texas, Okafor played in 48 career games while making 14 starts. The Lewisville native was also a three-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. He was one of the few players that the new staff seemed eager about during fall camp, as he was reportedly making great strides in his development.

In regards to how the team will adjust the line in his absence, although nothing has been formally announced by Sarkisian, after Okafor went down during the TCU game redshirt freshman Adrej Karic came in off the bench and played right tackle while Derek Kertstetter slid over to left guard.

Guard Isaiah Hookfin out two to three weeks with shoulder injury

According to Rivals, guard Isaiah Hookfin will be out for two to three weeks. The redshirt freshmen suffered a shoulder injury in practice.

According to Anwar Richardson of OrangeBloods.com, guard Isaiah Hookfin will be out for two to three weeks. The redshirt freshmen suffered a shoulder injury in practice this week.

If Hookfin does miss the maximum timeline of three weeks, the guard would miss the season opener against UTEP. The Longhorns are scheduled to host the Miners on Sept. 12.

However, Brian Davis of the Austin States-American is reporting Hookfin will be ready to go for the opener.

Hookfin is going into his second year with the program. He sat out all of last year, taking a redshirt year. Now, Hookfin is projected to be the starting right guard against UTEP.

Redshirt sophomore Willie Tyler was supposed to start, however, he opted out of the 2020 season on Aug. 19.

With Derek Kerstetter moving from right tackle to center, the interior offensive line will consist of Junior Angilau, Kerstetter, and Hookfin. All three will be playing their respective positions for the first time in college.

Texas’ offensive line is expected to be a strength this season, even with injuries. Protecting quarterback Sam Ehlinger and giving him time to make plays is what makes the Texas offense work.

Just over two weeks from the UTEP game, the Longhorns will be working to remain healthy. A couple of weeks off the practice field will make sure Hookfin is ready to go on Sept. 12.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]