With the Texas Longhorns now shifting focus after their game against Ohio State, attention has moved to internal development and building depth across the roster. The Longhorns face three consecutive home games against teams with lower-ranked rosters, providing an opportunity for emerging talent to see more action in September.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized the importance of using this period for player improvement and team growth. “I think a lot of what we do is internal so that each individual works at his craft and gets better,” Sarkisian said. “There are a lot of guys that didn’t play Saturday that we’re going to need to play, and they’re going to need to grow and develop over this time, so they need to work on their craft, too, over this next month.”
Analysis shows limited participation among Longhorns players during the Ohio State matchup—14 offensive players had more than 10 snaps and 18 on defense—leaving several younger athletes looking for opportunities.
Among those expected to feature more prominently are running backs Christian Clark and Ryan Niblett. Clark’s speed is seen as valuable in creating explosive plays from the backfield, while Niblett’s versatility could add another dimension in multiple personnel packages.
Wide receivers Daylan McCutcheon and Kaliq Lockett are also being watched closely. With injuries affecting the starting group, there is an expectation that these freshmen will take on bigger roles as Texas manages workload and prepares for tougher environments later in the season.
On the offensive line, Connor Stroh and Brandon Baker played significant snaps against Ohio State but remain points of focus for improvement as they seek consistency heading into less challenging games. Their development is considered crucial alongside quarterback Arch Manning‘s progression.
Defensively, linemen Lance Jackson and Justus Terry are viewed as prospects ready to move up following strong recruiting profiles. The coaching staff may look to integrate them further into rotations as Texas seeks both performance gains and future readiness.
At cornerback, Kobe Black already saw playing time versus Ohio State but is competing with Jaylon Guilbeau for a larger share of snaps opposite Malik Muhammad. Kade Phillips is identified as another young defensive back likely to earn more game action as he builds experience within the system.
As September continues, Texas plans to use its schedule strategically for roster evaluation and player development ahead of tougher challenges later in the year.
