Texas Football: Predicting the Depth Chart Heading into Fall Camp

Texas is a combined 13-12 during the last two seasons, which isn't exactly sitting well with the fans in Austin at the moment. Longhorn fans are used to winning titles and competing for national championships, this losing stuff isn't exactly something they are familiar with.

The good news is that this may be a team that could take Texas to its first BCS bowl since 2009.

The Longhorns return 17 starters, including eight from a defense that finished 11th in the country a year ago. On paper, this is one of Mack Brown's most talented teams, especially with another loaded recruiting class coming in to help as well.

With Brown refusing to release any type of depth chart before the season begins, here is out best guess of what the 2012 depth chart would look like, as we inch closer to the 2012 college football season.

Quarterback

Starter: David Ash, Sophomore

Backup: Case McCoy, Junior

This will be a battle that will last until the very last day of camp, but if the season was to start tomorrow, Ash would be the starter. He seems to make the least boneheaded decisions with the football, is more polished as a passer, and can hurt you with his legs as well.

I'm not sure either one is a difference maker at quarterback, but Ash is the better player at the moment.

Running Back

Starter: Malcolm Brown, Sophomore

Backup: Joe Bergeron, Sophomore

Together, both young backs combined for over 1100 yards and 10 total touchdowns. Bergeron has a great chance to top Brown as the starter, but both talented backs will see the field often in 2012.

This 1-2 punch is one of the best in the entire country.

Receivers

Starter: Jaxon Shipley, Sophomore

Backup: Marquise Goodwin, Senior

Shipley has the size at 6'1", and playmaking ability to become a real weapon in this offense. After hauling in 44 passes his freshman year, I expect Shipley to continue to be an effective player, and take another step forward in his young career.

Starter: Mike Davis, Junior

Backup: DeSean Hales, Senior

Davis started 11 games last season and led the team with 45 receptions for 609 yards. I would like to see him get the end-zone a little bit more, but Davis is one of the better receivers this team has.

Starter: Miles Onyegbule, Sophomore

Backup: John Harris, Sophomore

Onyegblue didn't do much last season, but his future is bright with Texas. He has the size at 6'4", and great hands. I really hope the quarterbacks can give this man the football in 2012 because he can truly shine this season.

Starter: Barrett Matthews, Senior

Backup: M.J. McFarland, Freshman

Matthews has played in 38 games, although has not been used much in the passing game. Still, his experience and blocking ability will be needed on this football team.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

Starter: Donald Hawkins, Junior

Backup: Luke Poehlmann, Senior

Hawkins is a junior college transfer, who will have the toughest job on the offensive line in 2012. When attending Northwest Mississippi Community College, Hawkins only allowed four sacks in over 600 snaps played.

Left Guard

Starter: Trey Hopkins, Junior

Backup: Sedrick Flowers, Freshman

Hopkins started all 13 games at right tackle last season, but will move to the guard position in 2012, which is his more natural position. He is a 2011 academic All-Big 12 first-team selection.

Center

Starter: Dominic Espinosa, Sophomore

Backup: Garrett Porter, Junior

Espinose started all 13 games at center last season and was named to the Yahoo! Sports freshman All-America second-team.

Right Guard

Starter: Mason Walters, Junior

Backup: Thomas Ashcraft, Junior

Walters is the best offensive lineman the Longhorns have, and he has 25 starts under his belt during the last two years. He has a serious nasty streak to his game and was named second-team All-Big 12 last year.

Right Tackle

Starter: Josh Cochran, Sophomore

Backup: Luke Poehlmann, Senior

Cochran is a former left tackle, but will be able to switch to the left side with Hawkins taking over. He is a big, athletic player, who plays the game with a very high motor.

Defensive Line

Starter: Jackson Jeffcoat, Junior

Backup: Cedric Reed, Sophomore

Jeffcoat started all 13 games at defensive end and led the team with eight sacks. Arguably the best defensive player on the team, as he was also a second team All-Big 12 selection.

Starter: Desmond Jackson, Sophomore

Backup: Brandon Moore, Junior

Jackson played a little bit as a freshman last season, although in 2012, the former 5-star recruit will get a chance to show what he is really made of.

Starter: Ashton Dorsey, Junior

Backup: Chris Whaley, Junior

Dorset played in all 12 games last season, including starting four at the defensive tackle position. He is an experienced player, who has played in 21 career games, and is capable of pressuring the quarterback, as well as clogging up running lanes.

Starter: Alex Okafor, Senior

Backup: Reggie Wilson, Junior

Okafor is a player you will see in the NFL very soon, as there isn't much this guy can't do on the football field. He will return for another season and be a key factor on this defensive line once again in 2012.

Linebackers

Starter: Jordan Hicks, Junior

Backup: Tevin Jackson, Sophomore

Despite playing hurt throughout the year, Hicks finished the year with 55 tackles and four passes broken up. Now that he finally has some starting experience under his belt, expect the junior linebacker to really emerge as one of the leaders of this defensive front.

Starter: Steve Edmond, Sophomore

Backup: Aaron Benson, Sophomore

After seeing action in 12 games last season, the former 5-star recruit will enter the starting lineup this year. He has the size, toughness, and speed to become a difference maker on the defensive side of the ball. Big things are expected from this young man in his second season.

Starter: Demarco Cobbs, Junior

Backup: Kendall Thompson, Sophomore

Cobbs is one of the fastest linebackers in the country, who will make up for a subpar sophomore season, after missing six games with a broken arm. Like every starting linebacker on this roster, Cobbs is a stud, who is ready to make a name for himself.

Defensive Backs

Cornerback

Starter: Carrington Byndom, Junior

Backup: Josh Turner, Sophomore

Byndom broke up 15 passes last season in 13 starts at cornerback. He was also named first-team All-Big 12.

Safety

Starter: Adrian Phillips, Junior

Backup: Sheroid Evans, Sophomore

Phillips does a little bit of everything for the Longhorns defense. He finished last season with 39 tackles, three tackles for loss, four passes defended and two interceptions. With 24 games under his belt, he will move up as a full-time starter.

Safety

Starter: Kenny Vaccaro, Senior

Backup: Mykkele Thompson, Sophomore

Vaccaro has played in all 38 games since he first stepped on campus back in 2009. He finished third on the team with 71 tackles and broke up eight passes. He also earned All-Big 12 first-team honors.

Cornerback

Starter: Quandre Diggs, Sophomore

Backup: Duke Thomas, Freshman

Diggs is a former 4-star recruit, who will remain in the starting rotation after playing in every game his freshman season.

Specialists

Kicker

Starter: Nick Jordan, Freshman

Backup: Ben Pruitt, Freshman

Texas has some serious issues at the kicking position, which is why they are hoping freshman Nick Jordan can fix those problems. He is one of the highest-rated kicking recruits of the 2012 class.

Punter

Starter: William Russ, Sophomore

Backup: Ben Pruitt, Freshman

Russ did not attempt a punt at all last season, but did attempt to kickoffs, averaging 59 yards an attempt. Much like the kicking situation, this is a position that you just have to kind of wait and see what happens.