10 Most Important Returning Players for the Texas Longhorns

The 2011 season for the Texas Longhorns is over, and what better time to begin taking a look ahead at 2012.

After revamping the entire program, the Horns rebounded from a 5-7, bowless season in 2010 to improve to an 8-5 mark in 2011 after a convincing 21-10 win over Cal.

With guys like Emmanuel Acho, Keenan Robinson, Blake Gideon, Fozzy Whittaker and David Snow leaving the program, the Longhorns will have plenty of holes to fill heading into next season.

But there is plenty of returning talent that garners a wealth of optimism for Texas moving forward.

Here are the top 10 returning players for the Longhorns in 2012.

Joe Bergeron

The emergence of Joe Bergeron came as a relief to many a Texas fan in 2011.

Even with the highly-touted Malcolm Brown, Bergeron came into his own in back-to-back games against Kansas and Texas Tech by rushing for 335 yards and five touchdowns over those two contests.

With the likes of Chris Whaley moving to the other side of the ball and Fozzy Whittaker's injury late in the season, Bergeron became an important asset to the Texas offense though he was nicked up himself.

But in 2012, it will be Brown and Bergeron as key components for the Longhorns running game, and Bergeron's violent running style should translate into quite a sophomore season.

Jaxon Shipley

It is no news that the Longhorns struggled in their attempt to field a quality passing game.

Without the presence of a consistent threat from the quarterback position, the wide receivers became an afterthought for many defenses.

But Jaxon Shipley still retains the brightest of futures at Texas. With the type of talent, work ethic and pedigree he possesses, it seems to be just a matter of time before Shipley turns into the same type of player his older brother became for the Longhorns.

Shipley caught 40 balls this season and three touchdowns with 593 yards, numbers that virtually everyone expects to increase when he is fully healthy.

Jordan Hicks

Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho will leave quite a void at linebacker after the duo put in highly respectable senior campaigns.

In Texas' base 4-3 set, Jordan Hicks saw time at the Sam position. But against the pass-heavy offenses in the Big 12, the Longhorns were forced into more nickel and dime situations where just one or two linebackers were needed.

So in limited looks, Hicks put up 57 tackles, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Most notably, Hicks had himself quite the performance in Texas' Holiday Bowl win over Cal, an outing that has many excited about the prospect of him playing full time at the second level.

The junior has put in his time waiting behind guys like Acho and Robinson, and 2012 will be his time to shine.

Malcolm Brown

The centerpiece of Texas' running game next season looks to be Malcolm Brown, who will be entering his sophomore season with a year's worth of experience as the Longhorns' starter in the backfield.

Although he suffered from some nagging injuries throughout the campaign, the freshman still led the Longhorns in rushing with 735 yards to complement five touchdowns.

Coming into the year, the anticipation of Brown as one of the best running back prospects to come through Texas in recent years put some pressure on the former five-star recruit to perform. And while he did not exceed some people's expectations of a 1,000 yard season, there is no doubt that he has the tools to be extremely successful during his career in Austin.

With more and more emphasis on offenses with multiple running backs, Brown's legs should be kept relatively fresh with the emergence of Joe Bergeron and incoming freshman Johnathan Gray.

If Brown reaches 100 percent going into spring, summer and fall workouts, the expectations of a fantastic season in 2012 will increase even more.

Quandre Diggs

Perhaps the most surprising performers for the Longhorns this season was the play of freshman cornerback Quandre Diggs.

The Angleton, Texas product was thrust into the starting lineup from day one and received Big 12 honorable mention after an impressive first season.

With the type of pedigree that Diggs has, it is no wonder that many expect him to become yet another of Duane Akina's NFL products.

Diggs led Texas with three interceptions on the season and added one more in the Longhorns' win in the Holiday Bowl.

Carrington Byndom

Before the season, the Texas secondary was marred by question marks surrounding the prospects at cornerback.

In Carrington Byndom, the Longhorns had a rather unproven sophomore asset who quickly became one of the Big 12's top defensive backs.

Under Duane Akina, Texas' Defensive Backs Coach, Byndom has the look of yet another top cornerback coming from a program the likes of which produced Aaron Ross, Michael Griffin, Quentin Jammer and Earl Thomas, among others.

Byndom hauled in two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and 15 pass break-ups. The Horns will return a top cover corner for their 2012 campaign, and the expectations will only increase.

Alex Okafor

After switching to defensive tackle under Will Muschamp, Alex Okafor reverted back to his natural position at defensive end under Manny Diaz.

It took the junior a few weeks to establish a rhythm, but a strong second half of the season had Okafor finish the year with 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks and two forced fumbles.

Going into his senior season, Okafor will have a chance to shine. And if his production from year to year is any indication of his comfort level and development, the Pflugerville, Texas native will be a go-to guy along the defensive line.

Jackson Jeffcoat

Opposite Alex Okafor will be Jackson Jeffcoat, a will-be junior who recorded 18 tackles for loss and six sacks after really turning up the intensity during the second half of the season.

Much like Okafor, Jeffcoat appeared to have flipped a switch this season. After struggling with injuries last season, the former five-star recruit looked unstoppable at times in 2011.

Between these two talented ends, Texas may have the best tandem in the Big 12 going into next season.

With the loss of Kheeston Randall, production right from the get-go will be critical as the Longhorns look to resolve any issues on the interior.

Josh Cochran

It finally looks like the Texas offensive line is coming into a clearing.

For what seemed to be an eternity of struggles up front, the Longhorns may have their answers in the trenches.

True freshman Josh Cochran unseated senior Tray Allen at left tackle during the season and became a bright spot for an offensive line that returns four starters.

Depth may still be a problem going into 2012, but experienced youth will be a motto that can carry Texas' big boys into next season and beyond.

Kenny Vaccaro

Just minutes after the Holiday Bowl went final with a 21-10 Texas win, Kenny Vaccaro made his decision to return to Austin for his senior year.

The Longhorns return one of the most physical and athletic defensive backs in the Big 12, as Vaccaro looks to be an anchor at the back end of the Texas defense.

Vaccaro picked up two interceptions, a sack, seven pass break-ups and was fourth on the team in tackles with 77.

Going into 2012, the safety/nickel back will be a key leader for the Longhorns defense that returns seven starters.