Texas releases depth chart ahead of Louisiana season opener

On Monday, the Texas Longhorns released a depth chart in preparation for Saturday’s season opener against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

The first official depth chart for new head coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t contain any real surprises among the starters after Saturday’s reports that redshirt freshman Hudson Card won the starting battle over junior Casey Thompson.

First, the depth chart, and then some thoughts.

• Sarkisian went with the talented young quarterback who has all the upside in the world. Perhaps Thompson might have been the more safe choice with his experience, but it’s time to see what all the prodigious arm talent and athleticism can produce for Card.
• Running back is chalk — don’t expect to see much of the seniors Daniel Young and Gabe Watson this season unless they can make some special teams units.
• No surprises among the starters at wide receiver, either, with the impact Xavier Worthy has made since arriving as a summer enrollee.
• The big losers at wide receiver are senior Montrell Estell, who didn’t make the depth chart thanks to the inclusions of freshman Casey Cain, and the exclusion of speedy freshman Jaden Alexis, who enrolled early.
• Freshman Gunnar Helm pushing junior Jared Wiley enough to earn a co-starter role as the in-line tight end is further proof that Helm has exceeded early expectations with his ability as a blocker and hasn’t disappointed in flashing the pass-catching ability that made him an intriguing prospect when he signed. Ja’Tavion Sanders has a lot of work to do in order to crash the rotation.
• Serving as the backup to super senior left guard Denzel Okafor is a positive development for sophomore Tyler Johnson, who started a game last season but wasn’t assured of his spot in the rotation.
• The biggest loser along the offensive line might be third-team sophomore right tackle Isaiah Hookfin, passed by redshirt freshman Hayden Conner at the position. Meanwhile, junior Raifit Ghirmai last the backup center job to a younger player in redshirt freshman Logan Parr and freshman Max Merril, an undersized prospect when he signed, is playing inside at guard.
• Former walk-on Jett Bush is back at a defensive end position after starting with the inside linebackers while fellow former walk-on Luke Brockermeyer officially won the job at middle linebacker thanks to his impressive play since position coach Jeff Choate arrived.
• At the strongside linebacker position, Notre Dame transfer Ovie Oghoufo is the starter after receiving public praise from Sarkisian. The question is how much will defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski actually use that position with nickel still mostly the base across college football, as it has been for years.
• Speaking of the nickel, senior Anthony Cook never faltered in winning that job with junior Chris Adimora serving as a primary backup at safety.
• Senior BJ Foster is the only clear starter at safety with super senior Brenden School a co-starter with sophomore Jerrin Thompson, who played so well towards the end of last season.
• No big surprises on special teams after what coordinator Jeff Banks said recently, but Card serving as the starting holder is notable. And there is definitely plenty of speed on the return units.