Four boom-or-bust players for Texas football in 2022
As the hype surrounding the Texas football continues to mount, there are quite a few new pieces that many fans are excited to see.
The excitement from the fans along with the growing expectations by the media make it seem as if this team isn’t coming off a 5-7 season, but that is mostly a testament to how good of a job Steve Sarkisian did when bringing in players. The Longhorns signed the No. 5 recruiting class and also brought in a top 10 class of players from the transfer portal.
While some people are hesitant about the second-year head coach, others are feeling bullish and even declared Texas as a team that can crash the College Football Playoff. That seems like a bit of a stretch considering the defense is roughly the same, and the staff has struggled to land transfers on that side of the ball.
This puts an immense amount of pressure on incoming freshmen and returners to step up and assert themselves as playmakers.
There are a handful of players who are expected to have a big season, but just like last year there is a possibility that they will disappoint and not live up to expectations. Here are four players that I view as boom or bust in 2022.
Jordan Whittington, Wide Receiver
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Even with the additions at wide receiver from the transfer portal, Jordan Whittington is poised for his biggest season yet. The Longhorns will have Xavier Worthy and Isaiah Neyor on the outside, and defenses will have to pick their poison which likely means Whittington will be open a ton.
When he was healthy last season, he was clearly the second best receiver and the go-to pass catcher on third downs. The only issue for him is he has yet to make it through a season with no injury issues. He has suffered an injury every season, and with the news that he said this will be his last season it really doesn’t get more boom or bust than this. While he won’t be the key to the success on offense by any means, he can certainly be dangerous if he is available.
DeMarvion Overhsown, Linebacker
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After once being viewed as a first round pick, linebacker DeMarvion Overhshown opted to come back for his super senior year. If he can improve as a pass rusher, something he showed flashes of last season being tied for first on the team with 15, he would greatly address a need for this defense. The Longhorns need to not only pressure the quarterback more, but actually bring him down as well. Overshown’s athleticism should help greatly in this aspect.
However, despite leading the team in tackles he has also led them in missed tackles over the past couple seasons, racking up 38 missed tackles in the past two seasons combined. This is where the bust aspect comes into play, as unless he can get that number down opposing teams will have no issue gashing the defense again.
Barryn Sorell, EDGE
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There is an assumption that Barryn Sorell will get the nod at the EDGE spot this season or at least get a healthy amount of snaps there. Although he is inexperienced, the Longhorns badly need for him or someone else across the line to step up. Given that we have seen so little of him, this is why he is the perfect boom or bust candidate.
Last season Ben Davis led the team in sacks with 2.5, and it has been a while since the Longhorns had a legitimate pass rusher on the team. Missing out on Ochaun Mathis, Jared Verse, and Isaiah Land hurt their chances to have a proven pass rusher, so now the pressure falls onto Sorell. Best case scenario he gets to the quarterback a handful of times, worst case scenario is the Longhorns continue to struggle across the defensive line.
Quinn Ewers, Quarterback
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While it is a tad premature and unfair to tab Quinn Ewers as boom or bust already, the expectations surrounding him are what earned him a spot on this list. When you are viewed as a Heisman candidate without ever attempting a college pass, and someone who is supposed to resurrect a program, you automatically become boom or bust candidate.
He has yet to be announced as the starter, but all signs hint that it will be his job to lose. You don’t send your backup quarterback to court Jordan Addison on his visit. It is also very unlikely that the former No. 1 recruit who had a perfect rating doesn’t get the nod, especially when the world has seen flashes of him lighting it up during the spring.
With all the weapons Texas added this offseason, Ewers or even Hudson Card are in a boom or bust situation. Texas may have the best arsenal of weapons in the country, and if the quarterbacks cannot make it work, it will be a tough look. It is also no longer a valid excuse if a young quarterback struggles thanks to the likes of Johnny Manziel, Trevor Lawrence, and of course Caleb Williams. The pressure is on Ewers to come in and light it up right away.
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