I just read an interesting piece on "The Five Longhorns Who Will Breakout in Spring Practice." I don't normally due copy and past but I liked this..From Rant Sports:
Texas Longhorns: Five Players Shine During 2013 Spring Practice
1)
Duke Thomas - Cornerback / Kick Returner
Every time I hear Duke Thomas' name mentioned by members of the Texas coaching staff or beat writers it's with glowing praise. While the Copperas Cove native saw action only on special teams in 12 games during the 2012 season, it certainly wasn't due to lack of ability, but instead purely a function of depth at cornerback.
Thomas figures to be right in the mix for playing time behind starters Quandre Diggs and Carrington Byndom, and could be the next great corner to carry on the tradition of DBU. Apart from his solid ball skills and technique, Thomas brings the type of speed that will make him a threat in the kick return game this fall as he promises to be paired along with the similarly-explosive Daje Johnson on Saturdays.
2)
Cayleb Jones - Wide Receiver
It would have been easy enough for me to posit that the entire Texas wide receiving corps should be looking to step up in 2013, but as it goes, Austin native Cayleb Jones will have the most to prove, and concurrently, the most to gain. The 6'3", 200 Jones has outstanding body control, great hands and is a first-class route-runner. What he has in this skill set, he may lack in breakaway speed -- but this isn't what Texas needs.
Jones will start at wideout along with Mike Davis and Jaxon Shipley -- who will be the deep threats. Jones will be looked upon to make possession catches in traffic against linebackers and smaller safeties who don't have the athleticism to control him. In other words, he could be just the X-Factor the Longhorns need in the passing game
3)
M.J. McFarland - Tight End
For as long as Texas fans can remember, there has been a productive, pass-catching tight end that accelerates the passing game -- especially in the middle of the field. Until lately, that is. M.J. McFarland has the potential to be just the guy the Longhorns need to re-establish this tradition.
The 6'6", 245 pound sophomore showed flashes of what could become common in 2012, catching eight passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. While his looks were limited, it seemed as every catch McFarland made was spectacular. If there's a knock on the El Paso native it's that his blocking ability isn't solid enough to warrant him being an every down tight end and instead forcing the coaching staff to have him split duties with Greg Daniels.
If McFarland can rectify that this summer -- which we assume he will -- look for him to have a big impact in a more dynamic offense this fall.
4)
Peter Jinkens - Linebacker
As poor as the Texas linebacking corps was as a unit in 2012, there was a moment that continued to happen over and over again in the last 1/2 of the season: Linebacker makes a big play and shows emotion. Who was that? OH, Peter Jinkens.
Plain and simple, Manny Diaz and the Texas defensive coaching staff will be looking for playmakers to make plays this spring and as the fall rolls around, and it's questionable whether Steve Edmond or Tevin Jackson can rise to the occasion. Therefore, Peter Jinkens perhaps has the greatest opportunity of any player on the defensive roster to become an impact player -- taking some of the heat off of Jordan Hicks -- and helping the unit as a whole to play with some consistency, heart and drive.
5)
Johnathan Gray - Running Back
It's not rocket science. The Texas offense will go as Johnathan Gray goes in 2013. Plain and simple.
The passing game and any success it enjoys will be predicated by the success of the running game-- namely in how John Gray performs week in and week out. The Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year will certainly have expectations on his shoulders this spring and this fall, but if his performance in 2012 is any indication, he could well be the next special talent on the Forty Acres at running back which has seen plenty in the past three decades
