Five Players That Need to Step Up For Texas This Spring
Spring football is on the horizon, meaning there are plenty of opportunities for players to step up heading into the new season.
And with Texas moving to the SEC in 2024, the Longhorns will need to fill vacant spots as well as find new leaders.
Here are five players that need to step up.
Nov 25, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Bond (17) scores the game-winning touchdown over Auburn Tigers cornerback D.J. James (4) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
5. Amari Niblack
With J.T. Sanders moving on to the NFL, Alabama transfer tight end Amari Niblack will look to step into the starting role. While he might not pose as much of a physical threat as Sanders, it will be key to have him threaten defenses vertically in the passing game. Niblack is a player who will be able to stress defenses, which will also allow other receivers to get open.
4. David Gbenda
David Gbenda is a player with lots of experience in the program, but one that will also need to step up in his final year of eligibility. With Jalen Ford gone, Gbenda will look to become a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Given that he has been in the program for a long time, younger guys will naturally look to him to take charge in the locker room.
3. Cedric Baxter
In 2023 Cedrc Baxter filled in for an injured Jonathan Brooks, and put up solid production. He ran for 659 yards on 138 attempts and added five rushing touchdowns. With Brooks now gone, he will be the premier back and will need to build off of a solid freshman campaign.
With no shortage of weapons on the offensive side of the ball, Baxter will threaten defenses to stop the run, while also having to account for him catching passes out of the backfield. Last season he averaged 6.5 yards on 24 receptions. He has to potential to be the next great Texas running back and will look to be a major focus of the offense next year.
2. Andrew Mukuba
One of the biggest additions through the transfer portal this offseason has been Clemson Safety Andrew Mukuba. While Texas’s defense last season was among the best in the country, its glaring weakness was the safety play. This was apparent in the losses versus Oklahoma and Washington.
Adding a veteran player to the defensive back room will be huge for Texas, as well as the development of younger players in the program. Mukuba brings plenty of experience to the table, but also athleticism. In three years at Clemson, he totaled 152 tackles and 15 pass deflections.
1. Isaiah Bond
With the Texas offense losing its top four leading receivers, Sark added multiple new receiving threats to the roster. None as big as Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond. Bond was Alabama's lead receiver last year, and brings amazing speed and agility to the receiving room.
Quinn Ewers should have no trouble getting Bond the ball and reeling havoc on opposing defenses. Adding an experienced player like Bond is also important because it will help younger players like Ryan Wingo and Jontay Cook develop and learn from him. Though the horns lost tons of production, the future remains as bright as ever in the receiving room this season.
