This week we’ve begun examining the strongest and weakest positions on each Big 12 team heading into summer workouts and preseason camp.
We continue the series with Texas.
Strongest position: Running back
Linebacker is also an acceptable answer, as is cornerback. This team has accumulated a lot of young talent at those spots. But the Longhorns’ strength this season should be their run game.
The thing about the D’Onta Foreman-Chris Warren duo isn’t just their freakish size/speed combos, though they are rather freaky. Pairing up a 238-pound back who can fly with a 255-pounder who bounces off tacklers is a pretty fun thing to watch. The good thing about these two, though, is they’ve accumulated very little mileage. Foreman got only 95 carries last year while splitting duties with Johnathan Gray. Warren chipped in 71, mostly late in the season when Foreman was hurt.
Their combined output for the 2015 season: 1,151 rushing yards and nine TDs on 6.9 yards per carry. How are they building off that breakout? With a better offensive line and a more consistent offensive vision. And they’ll have help from a healthy Kirk Johnson, who ought to make a name for himself as a sophomore.
Throw in ESPN 300 freshman Kyle Porter and speedy backups Rod Bernard and Tristian Houston and you’ve got a complete set of running backs with a ton of youth and potential.
Weakest position: Kicker
The popular choice for the most concerning position this spring was defensive tackle, since the Longhorns had so few this spring. But the freshmen have arrived. Jordan Elliott, D’Andre Christmas-Giles, Chris Daniels and Gerald Wilbon will have to grow up quick, but Texas at least has enough bodies in the middle now to go with Poona Ford, Paul Boyette Jr. and Chris Nelson.
Texas does not have enough bodies (legs?) at kicker. Nick Rose and his great hair graduated. A reliable successor did not emerge this spring. Maybe the solution will end up being backup punter Mitchell Becker or a currently unknown walk-on.
Coach Charlie Strong joked after the spring game that he really only needs someone who can hit from 35 yards and in. So at least the expectations for whoever takes over at kicker aren’t unreasonable.