The depth chart (see below) for the Red River Rivalry was released this morning prior to Mack Brown taking the podium for his weekly press conference and there were a few notable changes. While the team is still addressing the injury to starting running back Malcolm Brown, the newly released depth chart lists freshman Johnathan Gray as a co-starter at the position along side Joe Bergeron. Gray had his best performance of the year rushing for 87 yards on 14 carries, including a romp of 49 yards against West Virginia.  While it is possible Brown will be healthy enough to play against the Sooners, expect Johnathan Gray to continue to see more and more playing time each week. Brown’s status should be updated sometime on Wednesday.
On defense the secondary has been shaky for the better part of the year and the coaches opened up competition at the strong safety position last week before the West Virginia game. It appears that Mykkelle Thompson has at least temporarily won the starting spot over Adrian Phillips who has struggled lately.
Texas fans have waited for Anthony Fera to recover from an ailing groin and the former Penn State kicker is finally healthy. Fera is listed as the starting kicker for the Longhorns for the first time since joining the team in early August. He was questionable for the West Virginia game but ended up playing, making a 38 yard field goal and missing what proved to be a critical 41 yard field goal that would have tied the score at 41-41.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks is still nursing the hip injury suffered in the win over Ole Miss. He is scheduled to be reevaluated later this week by the coaching staff and team trainer but could possibly be coming back this week, at least according to Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro:
Hicks’ return for the Oklahoma game would not be a luxury but rather a necessity. The Texas run defense was gouged for 207 yards by backup West Virginia running back Andrew Buie. Texas will have its hands full with Landry Jones and Sooner running backs Damien Williams and Dominique Whaley.
The Longhorns take on the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, October 13th at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas at 11:00 am CST.
The Depth Chart vs. Oklahoma
https://www.hornsports.com/images/OU_DepthChart.jpg
