TEXAS FANS should keep their eyes on the follow- ing five football players during the upcoming fall season.
1) HASSAN RIDGEWAY
With Brandon Moore’s decision to head to the NFL, the Longhorns have an open spot in the defensive tackle rotation. And since Texas didn’t recruit a tackle in this year’s class, the coaches will choose from Ridgeway, Paul Boyette or Alex Norman.
However, Boyette and Norman are both one year away from being able to contribute. So that leaves Ridgeway, who when … [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]
healthy has made
an impact on the practice field. He had time throughout the fall to work at the tackle position, so it’s not foreign to him, and everyone raves about his ability when he flashes.
Now that he’s pushing 300 pounds, he’s got the size to balance his athleticism and pass rush- ing ability on the interior. If his health isn’t an issue, he’s got a chance to play a big role this fall and compete for a starting job when spring ball rolls around next year.
2 GEOFF SWAIM
M.J. McFarland has to take the next step.
We know what we’ll get from Greg Daniels.
Swaim is the wild card, but he’s more than just a spare part.
For him to get on the field he needs to bring something to the table as a blocker. Based on his performance in practices and the spring game, he can provide that. If Swaim can present a threat in the passing game then he could con- ceivably get more time on the field than Daniels. Swaim was an unknown when he committed, but he’s got a chance to fit into a major role with this team.
3) TEVIN JACKSON
Even though he had only three sacks last season, Jackson still finished third on the team in that category. As a high school recruit, he was the state’s top blitzing linebacker and in 2012 he showed that ability more and more with each passing week.
The focus is on Peter Jinkens and Jordan Hicks — not to mention the battle between Steve Edmond and Dalton Santos for the starting mid- dle linebacker job. Even though Jackson missed the last part of spring ball with an injury, don’t discount what he brings to the table.
With as many zone blitzes as Manny Diaz likes to dial up, Jackson is a guy who’ll find his way onto the field. Given Hicks’ injury history and the need for fresh and able bodies in this league, Jackson will get plenty of chances to make plays.
4) ASHTON DORSEY
The former Under Armour All-American saw action in only nine games last fall. That was enough time for him to total 10 tackles for loss — good enough for third on the team.
The frustrating thing with Dorsey is that his great plays are few and far between. Still, he stepped up his game this spring and looks like he’s ready to take off.
Everyone’s waiting for the light to stay on for Dorsey. Perhaps he’ll have a Henry Melton- like senior season where everything comes together in an All-Big 12 year for his final cam- paign as a Longhorn.
5) BRYANT JACKSON
Jackson catches the football when it’s thrown his way — pure and simple. His catches helped extend a few scoring drives last year, and he’s a guy who consistently finds him- self in the right place at the right time.
If nothing resembling an answer emerges at tight end, the coaches might have Jackson on the field in many instances as the fourth receiver. He’s tough enough that he’ll stick his nose in there and block, and you know what you’re get- ting from him in the passing game.
Before we get carried away with what freshmen might emerge, keep in mind that Jackson could wind up being a security blanket of sorts for David Ash. He’s already filled that role, to some extent, thus far in his Longhorn career. – JEFF HOWE of Horns247.com
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