2012 Texas Longhorns Football X-Factors
Today is the first in a ten part series examining each of the team’s in the Big 12 Conference and the “X-Factor” players that could make the difference between wins and losses for each on Saturdays this fall.
The Texas Longhorns enter the 2012 season on the shoulders of great expectations after an 8-5 finish in 2011, which ended with a 21-10 win over the California Golden Bears in the Holiday Bowl.
While more experienced at several key positions in 2012, the Longhorns will still be seeking an injection on both sides of the ball to get over the hump against Big 12 competition which promises– apart from a few teams– to be as stout as it has been in some time.
Here are the potential X-Factor guys for Texas Longhorns football on both sides of the ball:
Offense
Johnathan Gray- True Freshman- Running Back
This one’s a no-brainer.
Johnathan Gray arrives on the Forty Acres as one of the most hyped running backs since Cedric Benson, and should have the opportunity in some capacity or another to affect the Texas offense this fall.
Although incumbents Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron are likely to see heavy carries at least in the early going as Gray gets his feet wet and learns the complex Texas offensive scheme, the Aledo, Texas native will see a heavier load as the season progresses.
Gray is just too dynamic and talented to not touch the ball often, and could be the focal point of the Wildhorn direct-snap formation which was run to perfection by Fozzy Whittaker last fall.
Jalen Overstreet- True Freshman- Quarterback
With fellow true freshman quarterback Connor Brewer likely to be redshirted, Tatum native Jalen Overstreet could be given the opportunity to fill an interesting role in the Texas offense next fall. While nominally brought to Austin as a quarterback, Overstreet fits the mold of the type of player that could be used in several different packages.
Another candidate to take snaps in the Wildhorn formation– or possibly even catch a ball or two out of the slot– Overstreet’s quickness and elusiveness could be a nice addition to Bryan Harsin‘s trickier play calls this fall.
Defense
Demarco Cobbs- Junior- Linebacker
Of almost any player on the Texas defense, junior linebacker Demarco Cobbs has had the most unlucky breaks. Missing half of the 2011 season due to a broken arm, Cobbs has fought his way back into the picture at linebacker, and will be depended upon heavily this fall to take up the slack left with the departure of last year’s starters in Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho.
If Cobbs can finally reach his potential this fall– and stay healthy in the process–he could be the X-Factor on the Texas defense who could anchor the team’s efforts as a whole and ensure the consistent improvement Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz wants from one season to the next.
Mykkele Thompson- Sophomore- Defensive Back
Sophomore defensive back Mykkele Thompson arrived on the Forty Acres last fall touted as a do-everything athlete. While he played primarily on special teams in 2011, the former San Antonio Stevens star quarterback should see a much more substantial role this fall for the Longhorns.
Expected to see some kick returning duty along with a fill-in role at safety– likely to give junior starter Adrian Phillips a rest when necessary–Thompson will have the chance to make big plays in 2012.
Mykkele’s speed and athletic ability was jaw-dropping during his days in high school and there’s a strong sense around Austin that he’ll have his hands on the ball early and often this fall, one way or another.
Join us tomorrow as we take a look at the X-Factor guys for the TCU Horned Frogs.
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Kris Hughes is the College Football Network Manager for Rant Sports and a member of the Football Writers Association of America.
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Kris is also the host of Rant Sports Radio on the Blog Talk Radio Network Wednesday evenings at 8 Central Time.
