Spring camp is underway in Austin. The intel and reports will start to roll out, the optimism is at an all-time high and we get that first taste of college football. This spring is going to be interesting, with Trevor Goosby, Ty’Anthony Smith and Justus Terry out, there will be chances for others to step up.
To me, there are five players that can either solidify starting roles or can fill the void left by the leaders that are sidelined.
Derrek Cooper – RB
Steve Sarkisian and the Texas offense needs a true power back if they are going to be complete on offense. Cooper is the clear option, in my eyes. He’s capable of more than just being a power back in short yardage/red zone situations. Smothers and Brown both sit below 200lbs while Derek Cooper showed up on campus at 210lbs. He has a chance to carve out a specific role earlier and just see it expand throughout the season.
Michael Masunas – TE
The Longhorns TE room is an interesting one. To me, there are four solid TEs but there is not a clear TE1 yet. Michael Masunas, the transfer from Michigan State, will have a chance to fill that void. Sarkisian does love to play two TEs, so Nick Townsend and Spencer Shannon will see the field but Masunas has a new offense to learn unlike the others. This is a massive chance for Masunas to become a mainstay at TE for Texas, alongside Townsend, Shannon or Winston.
Jaydon Chatman – OL
Texas cannot operate in the spring as if Laurence Seymore is going to win his eligibility case. It seems with Goosby out and Seymore’s status pending, it’ll be Jordan Coleman at LT and Jaydon Chatman at LG. The reason I lean towards Chatman here is because as long as Goosby is healthy by Week 1, he’ll be an All-American. Texas needs an answer, outside a possible Seymore, at LG and it seems Chatman would be that answer. He needs to assert himself at that spot and make the Seymore case not as season-altering as it seems right now.
Tyler Atkinson – LB
Ty’Anthony Smith will be watching from the sidelines for much of the spring. The LB room is already an area of concern for Texas heading into 2026. This next month is a chance for Atkinson to show why he’s gotten rave reviews coming out of high school. If Atkinson can fulfill his potential and be ready by Week 1, Texas has four LBs that can give them quality snaps(Smith, Atkinson, Biles, Spence). To me, the LB room has the most potential fluctuation this offseason. It could turn from an objective weakness to a true strength if Atkinson can answer the bell this spring.
Derek Williams Jr. – S
This should be the first chance Derek Williams Jr. can step on a field with absolutely no worries in a long time. After his injury in his sophomore season, he has looked like the same player. That being said, while he was seemingly physically healthy, the confidence in movement is the next step. This spring is the chance for him to get that confidence back. Not to mention the coach that got the best out of him, Blake Gideon, is back on top of Will Muschamp and Mark Stoops, DB “gurus,” joining the staff.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Five Longhorns with most to gain during Texas football’s spring camp
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
