For the first time since 2010, Texas opens a college football season ranked in the top 5 of the AP poll. Given the amount of talent at Texas football camp entering the 2024 college football season, it's no surprise. Texas, ranked No. 4 in the initial AP poll, went 12-2 and lost to Washington in the College Football Playoff semifinals last season. Texas returns quarterback Quinn Ewers and four starting offensive linemen after losing its top five pass-catchers. Although there may not be much camp competition on the offense line, there's plenty at the skill positions for the Longhorns entering the new college football season.
CJ Baxter, who was expected to be Texas' starting running back, suffered a season-ending knee injury, leaving more unknowns in the 2024 Texas football depth chart. But with plenty of talent ready to assume those touches, is Texas ready to return to the College Football Playoff? If you want to see the latest Texas football camp news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at Horns247, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Texas.
Horns247 has two of the most experienced journalists in the Texas market in Chip Brown and Jeff Howe. They have broken countless stories over the last two decades. Newcomer Eric Henry has already made his presence felt in the market, and Hank South and Jordan Scruggs have Longhorns recruiting on lockdown. Get all the inside scoop and VIP intel on Texas football and more, plus check out their VIP message board for more.
The team at Horns247 will be covering every practice, so head to Horns247 now to see see the latest news. And right now, Horns247 is offering 30% off the first year* of an annual membership, so get started today.
Top Texas Longhorns practice storylines
One of the major storylines revolving around Texas football is the running back position and the bad luck of injuries that have afflicted the RBs. It started last year when Jonathan Brooks -- now in the NFL -- tore his ACL late in the season. Then, CJ Baxter, the team's leading returning rusher suffered a season-ending knee injury of his own earlier this month. Just one week later, Christian Clark, a three-star incoming freshman tore his Achilles and is done for the season.
That leaves junior Jaydon Blue as the only RB on the roster with more than 12 college carries. Blue was third-string last year but is now the presumed starter, although he'll have competition for carries. Freshman Jerrick Gibson is a four-star who is the No. 3 running back in the Class of 2024. Whether or not Gibson can unseat the veteran in Blue will be something to monitor during Texas football camp as the ground game is a big part of the Longhorns offense, with the team ranking in the top 20 nationally in rushing yards last year. Get more updates on the Texas running back competition at Horns247.
Another one of the Texas football headlines surrounds the Longhorns tight ends. Ja'Tavion Sanders was third in receptions (45) and receiving yards (682) for Texas last season before being selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Gunnar Helm enters his fourth year at Texas, but he only had 19 receptions over that span. Given his experience within the program, he's one of the favorites for an expanded role, but that could also be given to a top player from the transfer portal.
Texas brought in Amari Niblack from Alabama and the 6-foot-4 tight end was the Crimson Tide's third-leading receiver last year with 327 yards. Niblack was a top 100 recruit out of high school, per 247Sports, and its top-ranked tight end in the transfer portal this offseason. Niblack had one of his best games against Texas last season with 45 receiving yards and a touchdown, so coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are plenty aware of the talent they've brought in. Find out more about Texas' tight ends at Horns247.
How to get insider Texas football practice insights
The staff at Horns247 is on the ground for every Texas practice. They will be regularly reporting on Texas football breakout players, Texas football recruiting, and Texas depth chart projections, so be sure to get every update now.
Who is dominating at Texas football practices, and what will the 2024 Texas football depth chart look like? Go to Horns247 to see all the latest Texas football news, all from a team of reporters with decades of experience covering the Longhorns, and find out.
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