2026 – Which player emerges to big time this year?

[Sirhornsalot]

Who are you predicting to "arrive" as a player next season? Who is going to go from a player not really in the spotlight to a player who commands the spotlight?

For me, the answer to that question is a tie between freshman LB Rocky Cummings who I think will find a way to make an impact, and Punter Mickey Bukauskas.

Cummings was the steal of the class and is already impressing his teammates and coaching staff. I think he'll do well on special teams and will work himself into LB action sooner than we think. I see star written all over him.

IMO, there's a good chance Bukauskas is our punter for next year even as a freshman and could possibly have the best leg in the SEC. He reminds me of a guy named Erxleben.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Hello? hello, . . hello . . hello (echo) lol

 

[Sunkist]

Is Terry under the radar lol? I expected him to have immediate impact given his skill and physical maturity but he played sparingly and also some nagging injuries.

I expect him to go from forgotten to stud. At least hopeful!

 

[hookemhorb]

Captain Obvious here. Manning will be in NY at the end of the year. Will he win the Heisman? Don't know but he will be in the conversation.

I need to think about D.

 

[dssl]

I haven't heard anything about Tyler Adkinson lately, but seems like there was lots of buzz about him potentially being a day 1 starter. Hopefully he can be another Anthony Hill type player for Texas.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Is Terry under the radar lol? I expected him to have immediate impact given his skill and physical maturity but he played sparingly and also some nagging injuries.

I expect him to go from forgotten to stud. At least hopeful!

That's an excellent choice. I'm a big Terry fan. 6'3, 235 can be a handful for defenses.

Remember when oppoosing players would say they hated tackling Bijan because he was not only fast, but was big?

I truly hope he plays well enough in practice to earn himself some snaps. During the Christmas practices, he was often mentioned by mods who were surprised he was so good at RB. I'd like to see us unleash him against OU as a total surprise to them.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Captain Obvious here. Manning will be in NY at the end of the year. Will he win the Heisman? Don't know but he will be in the conversation.

I need to think about D.

Good prediction. And I agree.

If Manning gets banged up during the year, my confidence in KJ Lacey is high. I don't want to jinx Manning on the injury thing, but it sure is hard to get through a schedule without your QB gettting hurt or banged up.

This is a year where we will have an explosive offense that racks up points, and a defense that is not only good, but deep, too. I can see why we keep hearing talk of a national title.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I haven't heard anything about Tyler Adkinson lately, but seems like there was lots of buzz about him potentially being a day 1 starter. Hopefully he can be another Anthony Hill type player for Texas.

There's a chance he could start, but honestly I think he will be 2nd team with lots of snaps on 1st team in a rotation. If either Smith or Biles get injured, then he's probably starting then.

You've got a room where you have Justin Cryer and Markus Boswell, experienced players who will command some time.

Also, Rocky Cummings might be an AA before he leaves Texas. He was a steal last year. Strong. Big. Fast. Agile.

LB room is deep with talent.

 

[Sunkist]

That's an excellent choice. I'm a big Terry fan. 6'3, 235 can be a handful for defenses.

Remember when oppoosing players would say they hated tackling Bijan because he was not only fast, but was big?

I truly hope he plays well enough in practice to earn himself some snaps. During the Christmas practices, he was often mentioned by mods who were surprised he was so good at RB. I'd like to see us unleash him against OU as a total surprise to them.

lol I was thinking of Justus but same applies to Michael

 

[NEOkHorn]

I’ll play along.

Shannon becomes a reliable piece at TE. Big target and enough size to block.

Vasek finally breaks out as a solid rotational piece and finishes with 5+ sacks.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I’ll play along.

Shannon becomes a reliable piece at TE. Big target and enough size to block.

Vasek finally breaks out as a solid rotational piece and finishes with 5+ sacks.

Would love to see it. We really haven't had a chance to see what kind of hands he has.

 

[texbound]

I'll play, while he got a lot of playing time last year, I think Jackson solidifies himself as the next "great" edge. Simmons will demand extra attention by teams, which will free up Jackson to dominate.

Justis Terry is another one that breaks out this year. Muschamp will find a away to let him eat. Also, Muschamp will come up with a set that has Simmons, Jackson and Terry a lot on the field. Opposing OLs will be overmatched.

Last one, but not the last one to break out as this team is loaded, is Jermaine Bishop. Mark my words, by game 4 Bishop will be a fixture in the offense. Kid has the "it" factor. If Sark is worth his salt, Bishop will be used like Duvonta Smith.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I'll play, while he got a lot of playing time last year, I think Jackson solidifies himself as the next "great" edge. Simmons will demand extra attention by teams, which will free up Jackson to dominate.

Justis Terry is another one that breaks out this year. Muschamp will find a away to let him eat. Also, Muschamp will come up with a set that has Simmons, Jackson and Terry a lot on the field. Opposing OLs will be overmatched.

Last one, but not the last one to break out as this team is loaded, is Jermaine Bishop. Mark my words, by game 4 Bishop will be a fixture in the offense. Kid has the "it" factor. If Sark is worth his salt, Bishop will be used like Duvonta Smith.

Agree, Jackson could emerge and solidify himself as one of the best next year. There's also Zina Omeozulu who will be hard to keep off the field. Smith Oragbo also gets a lot of praise. We have quite a DE room for sure.

I'm excited tto see Bishop in action. I've heard so much so far.

 

[TB14]

Does Bo Mascoe count? I don't feel like we talk about that transfer enough. I think he will be all conference.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Does Bo Mascoe count? I don't feel like we talk about that transfer enough. I think he will be all conference.

Yes, because he was a relative unknown coming here. Sark really likes him.

 

[Baron]

Yes, because he was a relative unknown coming here. Sark really likes him.

Then, like TB14 I'll pick Mascoe. I think Mascoe will make himself some future NFL money this year.