Texas football is a different beast lately. Ever since Steve Sarkisian took the reins, the "back or not" conversation shifted from a punchline to a legitimate warning for the rest of the SEC.
Honestly, looking at the Texas Longhorns depth chart 2024, you've got to appreciate the sheer volume of NFL-caliber talent roaming the Forty Acres. It’s not just about Quinn Ewers anymore, though he’s obviously the engine. It’s about the fact that if a starter goes down, the guy stepping in might actually be faster.
The Quarterback Room: Ewers, Arch, and the Rest
Everyone wants to talk about Arch Manning. I get it. The name, the pedigree, the arm. But let’s be real: this was Quinn Ewers’ team from the jump in 2024.
Quinn came back leaner, more vocal, and with a better grasp of Sark’s "all-gas-no-brakes" philosophy. He’s the undisputed QB1. Behind him? Arch Manning is basically the most famous backup in the history of the sport. He’s waiting in the wings, and as we saw in glimpses during the season, he’s more than ready.
Trey Owens, the freshman from Cy-Fair, rounds out the scholarship group. He’s huge—6'5"—and has a cannon. If things ever got weird enough for a QB3 to see meaningful snaps, Texas was in better shape than 90% of the country.
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Replacing the Unreplaceable: Running Backs
Losing Jonathon Brooks to the NFL was a gut punch. Then, the injury bug hit the room hard in August.
CJ Baxter was supposed to be the "guy," but a season-ending injury during camp forced a massive shift. Jaydon Blue stepped up. He’s got that home-run speed that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. Basically, he can take a simple stretch play and turn it into a 70-yard highlight before the safety even takes a correct angle.
Tre Wisner became a vital piece of the puzzle here, too. He's gritty. He does the dirty work. Behind them, Jerrick Gibson, the high-profile freshman, had to grow up fast. The depth was tested early, but the production didn't crater like people feared it might.
The New-Look Wide Receiver Core
This is where the Texas Longhorns depth chart 2024 got really interesting. Texas lost Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell—two first-round type talents. You don’t just "replace" that.
Sarkisian went shopping in the portal and brought in some absolute burners:
- Isaiah Bond (Alabama): The vertical threat.
- Matthew Golden (Houston): A reliable chain-mover and return specialist.
- Silas Bolden (Oregon State): Pure electric speed.
Johntay Cook II and Ryan Wingo—the freshman phenom—provided the "homegrown" talent. Wingo, in particular, doesn't look like a freshman. He’s built like a linebacker but moves like a track star. It’s kinda unfair, actually.
Tight End Stability
Gunnar Helm is the veteran presence everyone overlooks. While the world was hyped about Alabama transfer Amari Niblack, Helm just kept catching touchdowns and blocking his tail off. He’s the glue. Niblack is more of a "jumbo receiver" threat, creating mismatches in the red zone.
The Trench Warfare: Offensive Line
If you want to know why Texas is a playoff contender, look at the left tackle. Kelvin Banks Jr. is a literal brick wall. He’s likely a top-five NFL pick for a reason.
The continuity here is the secret sauce.
- Left Tackle: Kelvin Banks Jr.
- Left Guard: Hayden Conner
- Center: Jake Majors
- Right Guard: DJ Campbell / Cole Hutson
- Right Tackle: Cameron Williams
Cameron Williams stepped into the Right Tackle spot left by Christian Jones. He’s massive. Like, "doesn't fit through standard doors" massive. Having Jake Majors at center is like having a second coach on the field; he makes all the calls and keeps the communication seamless.
A Defensive Front Without the Twin Towers
No T’Vondre Sweat. No Byron Murphy.
That’s a lot of meat missing from the middle of the defense. Alfred Collins finally had his "it's time" season. He’s always had the talent, but 2024 was about consistency. Alongside him, Vernon Broughton and Bill Norton (the Georgia/Arizona transfer) had to hold the point of attack.
The edge rushing, though? That got a massive upgrade. Trey Moore came over from UTSA after racking up sacks like groceries. He’s twitchy. Then there’s Colin Simmons, the five-star freshman. Honestly, Simmons’ first step is so fast it looks like he’s offsides half the time. He’s a natural born pass rusher.
Linebackers and the "Star" Position
Anthony Hill Jr. is the heartbeat of the defense. He plays with a level of violence that reminds people of the old-school Big 12 days. David Gbenda provides the senior leadership next to him.
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But the "Star" position—that hybrid nickel role—is where the Texas defense wins or loses. Jaylon Guilbeau and Jahdae Barron shared duties there. Barron is a Swiss Army knife. You can play him at corner, safety, or nickel, and he’s probably going to be the best player on the field regardless.
The Secondary Overhaul
The arrival of Andrew Mukuba from Clemson changed the geometry of the secondary. He’s a veteran who’s seen it all. Pair him with Michael Taaffe—the former walk-on who just keeps making plays—and the back end felt a lot safer than it did in 2023. Malik Muhammad and Jahdae Barron locked down the outside spots, making it very difficult for opposing QBs to find easy windows.
Special Teams: The Auburn Factor
Bert Auburn is a weapon. Period.
When the offense stalls at the 30-yard line, you aren't worried. You just send out Bert. On the punting side, Michael Kern took over the duties. It’s the "boring" part of the depth chart until you’re in a one-score game in the fourth quarter, and then it’s the only part that matters.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Texas is just a "finesse" team because of Sarkisian’s play-calling. That’s a mistake. The 2024 roster was built to survive the SEC trenches. They are bigger across both lines than they've been in twenty years.
The depth isn't just about having names on a piece of paper; it’s about having 22 guys who can play at an All-Conference level. If you're looking at this team and only seeing the quarterbacks, you're missing the forest for the trees.
Practical Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Rotation: Keep an eye on how many defensive linemen Texas rotates in the first quarter. If they're playing 8-10 guys deep, they’ll dominate the fourth quarter.
- Track the Freshmen: Ryan Wingo and Colin Simmons aren't typical freshmen. Their snap counts will tell you exactly how much the coaches trust them in big moments.
- Monitor the O-Line Health: This team goes as Kelvin Banks goes. Any shuffle on the offensive line is a major red flag for the run game.
Texas is no longer a "potential" powerhouse. They're a realized one. The 2024 depth chart is the proof.