We are Warren Roberson days away from Texas football and it’s time for Steve Sarkisian to start answering the questions around this team. The offensive line, particularly the left guard position, continues to be an area of concern that lacks a true answer.
A number of players have rotated throughout fall camp, including Laurence Seymore and Cole Hutson. As the season approaches, how concerned should Longhorns fans be about that spot and the offensive line as a whole?
One of the hardest things to discern during fall camp is position battles. It’s nearly impossible to know the difference between a “good-on-good” battle and a “less of two evils” battle. For Texas, they now have four players that are truly vying for the starting LG spot. Usually, the more names you hear around a specific position, the worse. That’s not a guarantee, just a pattern that has formed in the past.
Now, there is an obvious silver-lining around the LG spot that didn’t exist a year ago: the talent level of the options. Laurence Seymore has been the perceived starter since he was added from the portal, and has gained remarkable praise from multiple defenders this offseason. Cole Hutson returns as a “high-floor” fail safe, with 23 career starts in Kyle Flood’s system. Finally, Jaydon Chatman and Jackson Christian both bring unique ability and confidence in the Flood system to the table.
The left guard position needs to be answered before the Ohio State game. It could be, with the pads on this week, one player takes a firm lead in the competition. If not, don’t be surprised if Flood turns back to Hutson, considering his experience. One way or another, walking into the Week Two bout against the Buckeyes without a cohesive unit is not an option.
If I were a betting man, I’d lean towards Seymore proving himself over the next two weeks and earning the starting job. Regardless of the result, I expect the LG spot and the offensive line overall to improve. However, the OL improvement has to be substantial for Texas to reach the expectations of this season. Hopefully, the answer at LG will come quickly and emphatically.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: How worried should Texas Longhorns be about the left guard battle?
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
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By Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
