Which incomers play early?

Which guys coming to the 40 this summer will avoid a redshirt and get to contribute this next season?​

Per 247Sports:
1. Holton Hill, CB, Houston Lamar

• Depending on injuries to Sheroid Evans and Jermaine Roberts, Duke Thomas is the only veteran cornerback set to be on the field this fall who wasn't in the spring game.
• Texas needs more than improvement from CBs Bryson Echols and Antwuan Davis to make it through a season in the Big 12.
• The 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound Hill has the talent to come in right away and claim a spot in the two-deep.
• He's got length, speed, deceptive athleticism and ball skills, all tools that could make him an elite cornerback by the time he's done in Austin.

2. DeAndre McNeal, ATH, Mesquite Poteet

• If Devonaire Clarington doesn't qualify, the Longhorns' plans at tight end will have to change - a spread offense like the one Texas has shifted to can use a versatile playmaker like McNeal.
• At 6-2, 228, he can play tight end/H-back while posing the kind of consistent threat in the passing game Texas doesn't have at the position right now.
• He can also play as a big slot receiver.
• A guy like McNeal can put the defense in constant conflict with how to defend him, which is something Texas needs in a bad way offensively.

3. Kris Boyd, CB, Gilmer

• Boyd has the size (5-11, 184), man cover skills and element of physicality in his game that projects perfectly to the nickel position.
• Like Hill, Boyd has the tools to eventually be an elite cornerback at the college level.

4. Ryan Newsome, WR, Aledo

• Newsome offers something the other new arrivals won't be able to bring to the table -- speed in space.
• In addition to his ability as a slot receiver, Newsome could also fill a role as the primary punt returner. He's got the kind of skills to flip the field and change momentum any time the ball is kicked in his direction.

5. Patrick Vahe, OL, Euless Trinity

• Vahe could be an early impact guy depending on his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.
• He could be LG Sedrick Flowers backup.
• With Flowers' health issue (back), Vahe may end up having to start some.
• With Anderson and James in doubt, Vahe and Elijah Rodriguez could compete to be the first guard off the bench.

 

Anderson in doubt? I think he is done.

 

CB time: They may all "play" some downs, but meaningful downs / plays my prediction is: Hill and McNeal.

 

I concur.

Remember, McNeal has been promised by Strong to get the first pass (not play) of the 2015 season.

 

Jefferson will play a bunch and may start many games. I did not include him in my response as he is an enrolled / incoming frosh for the spring and won't be defined as a "incomer" in the fall.

 

WR John Burt and RB Chris Warren. Both will compete this summer. I know we'd "like" to redshirt these two, but I don't think we're talented enough especially at the wr position to sit a tall, athletic receiver like Burt and a big (6'2", 240) productive rb like Warren, if they show they can contribute.

 

Based on what I saw out of Chris Warren in high school and the lack of any prominent returning backs, I'd vote for Warren. He has a big body and speed to go with it.

 

Every single one of the DBs. I wouldn't be surprised if Haines and Davis all lost the primary playing time as the season wore on, even if they're still penciled in as starters.

I also don't see Warren shirting, considering how poor Catalon looked in the Spring Game and how slow Foreman is. You can't rely on more than a touch or two from either of those guys behind Gray, and Gray (as well as his family) have stated from Day One that he came to Texas expecting to share the load. I think Warren comes in, reels off a couple of pounding 20-yard carries, and takes over the backup spot immediately.

Cherry, Wheeler, and Hager will also get some long looks for immediate playing time. Santos and Jinkens have basically proven themselves to be what they are: career stopgaps while others around them get better. I don't see the competitive nature of the incoming LBs squashed by the upperclassmen because the older guys haven't done jack **** to hold on to their positions.

 

He was not on that list but I have thought from early on that LB Cecil Cherry will see a lot action as a frosh. How early he plays is hard to predict but it would not surprise me to see him play versus ND on Sept. 5th. He is a BEAST.

 

I'm right there with you guys. Cherry has impressed me the most as someone who could be a contributor. From several analysis of Wheeler I've read, they seem to think he'll have more of an immediate impact.

Vance said he sees as many as a dozen newbies contributing (O and D - someone correct me if I'm wrong); so I see Cherry, Wheeler, and one of Strong's faves, Deshon Elliott, starting out on special teams and playing more as the season goes on.

​

The Cherry/Wheeler/Elliot Special Teams Effect

 

I'm really interested in seeing Cherry play. The highlights I saw, he hits guys and they don't get up. I hope he develops enough to get in the rotation this year and crack some skulls. He and Malik are going to be awesome!