Countdown to Kickoff: Texas will have five freshman contributors

We are officially under 50 days until Texas football takes the field against Texas State. On today’s “Prediction Saturday”, it’s time to talk about this special freshman class Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns have.

Texas has had impactful freshmen each and every year of Sarkisian’s tenure, from Xavier Worthy to Colin Simmons to Graceson Littleton. That being said, I believe this year’s group will be the most impactful of any Sarkisian has had while in Austin. 

This is how I see the freshman class breaking down throughout this season:

RB Derrek Cooper, WR Jermaine Bishop Jr.

These are the two offensive playmakers I expect to get snaps in about every game this season. Derrek Cooper, according to reports, continues to be undeniable, even among Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown. He will be tough to keep off the field this season, especially because he brings a size and physicality Smothers and Brown don’t possess. 

Jermaine Bishop Jr. is a more interesting character for Texas. He’s currently working at CB and could very well see snaps on both sides of the ball this season. However, I do expect offense to be his home, at least for the majority of 2026. His remarkable ability with the ball in his hands will be difficult to deny and he’ll get chances on offense, as well as special teams. 

DE Richard Wesley, LBs Tyler Atkinson and Rocky Cummings, CB Samari Matthews 

This defensive rookie class seems to be filled with home-runs. Richard Wesley, despite being just 17 years old, has seemingly earned snaps behind Lance Jackson at DE. At LB, Rocky Cummings has been the surprise of the offseason, entering the conversation as the backup MLB. Tyler Atkinson might take time to get consistent snaps, but I expect him to factor into the pass rush immediately. Finally, Samari Matthews, like Graceson Littleton last year, has proven his ready for playing time early on. He seems to have positioned himself as the backup to Kade Phillips, with Kobe Black moving to safety. 

WR Kohen Brown, LB Kosi Okpala

Finally, these are two freshmen I don’t expect to see much of in the Ohio State game, but by LSU, could be making real impacts. Kohen Brown has shined this offseason, even becoming the fastest player on the team(clocked at 22.7 MPH this summer). He will see time on special teams throughout the season, but could become a gadget player on offense by season’s end. As for Okpala, his athleticism is something I believe will be utilized in pass rush situations late in the season. 

This freshman class doesn’t have Xavier Worthy or Colin Simmons. They don’t have someone that will lead the Longhorns in receiving yards or sacks. That being said, I’m not sure that’s because they don’t have guys capable of that, it might just not be needed. Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Derrek Cooper could be two of the best playmakers Steve Sarkisian has signed, but with names like Coleman and Smothers in front of them, they aren’t going to be called on as much. 

Richard Wesley, Tyler Atkinson and Samari Matthews all have the upside to be freshman All-Americans. I’m not sure they get the opportunity to do so because Colin Simmons, Rasheem Biles and Bo Mascoe are sitting in front of them. Point being, this freshman class won’t have “the guy” but it could have six truly impactful freshmen that provide important, needed depth this season.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Texas will have five freshman contributors