Texas Longhorns Football: Five Impact Freshmen So Far in 2010
It is no news that youth is a major component in the 2010 version of the Texas Longhorns, so finding impact freshmen littered throughout the team is quite common.
The coaching staff is looking ahead to next year, as far as finding the right pieces to take the places of the departing seniors and draft-eligible juniors. Getting the youngsters snaps and experience right off the bat will look to pay big dividends down the road.
Building depth for the future is paramount, so here are five impact freshmen so far in the 2010 season.
Adrian Phillips, DB
1 of 5
Texas will lose its two senior starting cornerbacks after the season in Chykie Brown and Curtis Brown. Also projected to leave early for the NFL is junior Aaron Williams.
With the plethora of talent leaving the Forty Acres, developing depth and experience in the young defensive backs will be critical for the future.
The 5-11 Phillips has appeared in all four games in special teams as well as in the defensive backfield.
He reminds some of a young Earl Thomas, which is not a horrible comparison.
Trey Hopkins, OT
2 of 5
Hopkins reminds the coaches of a young Justin Blalock, who is now an offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons.
At 6-4 and a stout 297 lbs, Hopkins is a wide, athletic body who can play on either side. And with the offensive line depth for the Horns absolutely shot, giving snaps to the younger linemen on the team may prove wonders in the immediate future.
He has appeared in two games so far this season, but despite looking lost at times, the experience is invaluable.
Reggie Wilson, DE
3 of 5
The highly touted defensive end out of Haltom City has already begun to make his mark at defensive end for the Horns.
Wilson has recorded five tackles (two solo) to date as a freshman and will be a heavy contributor next year as seniors Sam Acho and Eddie Jones are on their way out of the program.
Texas boasts a handful of talented defensive linemen, and Wilson figures to be near the top of that list, along with Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat, among others.
Depth on the line has been an issue for the Horns for the past couple of seasons, and Wilson getting early snaps can help remedy that problem.
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Mike Davis, WR
4 of 5
Davis is quietly having a great freshman year, already posting two touchdowns on the season to go with 16 catches for 183 yards.
He had a career game against Wyoming with seven receptions for 104 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown scamper.
At 6-2, 183 lbs, Davis is quick and plays great in space. He will be a feature receiver for Garrett Gilbert, if he already isn't, over his entire career at Texas.
He is already helping a wide receiver corps that is struggling to find its consistency.
Jackson Jeffcoat, DE
5 of 5
The son of former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Jim Jeffcoat, Jackson Jeffcoat undoubtedly has the bloodlines to backup his performance so far for the Longhorns.
Claiming consistent playing time throughout the first quarter of the season, Jeffcoat is setting the cornerstone for a nice season.
The 6-5, 238 lbs. end is settling in nicely, having recorded 12 tackles (six solo), five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one fumble recovery and six quarterback pressures.
He is easily the biggest impact freshman so far this year for the Horns.
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.jpg?w=600 "Tate Shocked To Go No. 4 😮")
