Per 247Sports: Wheeler will graduate at Dallas Skyline on June 3, but the four-star linebacker hopes to move into his dorm in Austin at the end of May. He’s that excited to be coming to the Forty Acres. “I’m excited to start my life, have fun and be a part of a new team and family,” Wheeler said. “It’s the start of my future.” At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Wheeler is a monster at middle linebacker. He’s strong enough to bowl over running backs and fast enough to chase them down on the second-level. Wheeler said he enjoys the mike linebacker role because he can funnel to the ball and “be around it every play.” Wheeler, who at excels at pushing downhill, said he still needs to work on his footwork, especially in coverage. He also said he’d like to get better at reading the play before it happens, a crucial skill for a middle linebacker. There may be room for him to grow, but Wheeler will have a chance to compete for playing time immediately. Wheeler said the staff thinks he can challenge for [MLB] early. “They’re talking about me playing early,” Wheeler said. “They want me in the middle.” For now, Wheeler is stuck just dreaming about his future on the field at Texas. But the moment when he suits up in the orange and white will come soon. After all, Sept. 5 in South Bend, Indiana is not that far away. Four years down the line when Wheeler is a senior? “I envision (us) being a great team, really put Texas back on the map and be competitive with anyone we play,” Wheeler said. “Seeing the recruits we got, I think it’s the start of the foundation.”
Yes, he has "it" and he may get significant PT this fall... He and fellow LB Cecil Cherry will hit fall camp with a fired up Malik Jefferson. Is it possible..... nah probably not, but I will throw it out there anyway. Is it possible that UT could start 3 true Freshman vs. ND on Sept. 5th? Jefferson, Cherry and Wheeler?
Depending on Cherry's and Wheeler's fall camp development, I would be more than fine with that. Yeah, they'll make frosh mistakes, but they all three seem to have "it." I'd rather put up with those mistakes than have to watch Santos and Peter the Jink.
It may not take much to beat out Santos coming off his injury / rehab this fall and I like "Peter the Jinx" but he is inconsistent and injury prone.
How likely some of these head-hunters see special teams action early on? I don't believe it would very much of a pleasure running back a KO or Punt with Cherry and Wheeler drawing a bead on your head....
