When Charlie Strong was hired as the new head coach of the University of Texas, it signaled new beginnings for many people within the program. Everyone on the roster had to earn their spot and their snaps. Changes were made within the first few months, including suspensions and dismissals, which opened up opportunities for some athletes that hadn’t taken a meaningful snap or even seen the field in a live game setting.
When the safety position lost an incumbent starter, Josh Turner, to at least a one game suspension, it opened up the door for the second and third team backups to try to earn some playing time. Adrian Colbert, Edwin Freeman, Eric Huhn and Kevin Vacarro were names that immediately came to mind when thinking of possible replacements. While those names were being plugged in by prognosticators who hadn’t even watched a single snap of practice, redshirt sophomore Dylan Haines was slowly working his way up the depth chart.
An Austin native, Haines was a star on offense, defense, and special teams for the Lago Vista Eagles – a three year letterman who played safety, wide receiver and kicker. As a senior, Haines racked up awards for his outstanding play on the field, including first team all-district honors in all three positions that he played as well as Special Teams POY for his work as the kicker.
Dylan’s talent presumably stems from his bloodlines. His father, John Haines, was a defensive tackle for the Longhorns from 1980-1983. He continued his football career into the NFL, playing for the Colts and Vikings. Sandra, Dylan’s mom, was also an athlete as she was a member of the Longhorn track and field team from 1976-1978.
Now Haines follows in his parents’ footsteps as he attempts to make his own mark on UT athletics. As a preferred walk-on, Dylan has the chance to become one of the very few non-scholarship athletes that not only make a spot on the roster, but actually take meaningful snaps for one of the top Universities in America.
There are still plenty of practices and reps to be had by every potential defensive back on the practice field for fall camp. As Charlie Strong noted recently in regards to roster spots, it’s still too early to tell how things will shake out.
Turner will return from his suspension at some point and one or more of the scholarship safeties may move up on the depth chart. But don’t count the 6’1″, 195 lb defensive back out. If he’s made it this far, who’s to say he can’t keep going?
