Three Texas true freshmen who could emerge as breakout stars in the second half

No. 1 Texas has several freshmen who could step up in key roles on both offense and defense during the second half of the regular season. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his young players have already made significant contributions, with recruits from the last two signing classes helping the Longhorns achieve an undefeated 6-0 record for the first time in over a decade.

These underclassmen have had an impact on both sides of the ball early in the 2024 season, contributing to a strong first half. Texas dominated major opponents, including their rival, No. 18 Oklahoma, and the defending National Champions, winning both games by convincing double-digit margins.

Texas has benefited greatly from contributions by underclassmen, particularly from their highly-ranked 2024 signing class, which has played a key role in keeping the team undefeated and securing the No. 1 ranking in the major polls after seven weeks. More than six true freshmen have already surpassed the four-game threshold, forfeiting their redshirt eligibility this season.

Looking ahead, Texas could see even more true freshmen step up in the second half of the regular season and in the postseason, as the NCAA won’t count postseason games towards the redshirt limit this year.

Here are three true freshmen for the Longhorns who could have breakout performances in the second half of the season.

Jordan Washington, TE

AUSTIN, TEXAS – APRIL 20: Jordan Washington at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on April 20, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by The University of Texas Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)

True freshman tight end Jordan Washington has appeared in four games this season, putting him right on the edge of losing his redshirt eligibility as the season progresses.

Washington possesses the attributes needed to excel as a receiving tight end in Steve Sarkisian’s system. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 250 pounds, he combines size and speed, positioning himself as a future offensive weapon. With current tight end Gunnar Helm set to graduate after the 2024 season, Washington is poised to step up as the next big receiving threat at the position.

Since preseason camp, Jordan Washington has shown significant improvement as a blocking tight end, a notable leap from where he started when he arrived on campus for spring camp.

His growing skills as a blocking tight end, combined with his ability to be a receiving threat, could open up more opportunities for him to see late-game targets as the season progresses. Especially in SEC play, if the Longhorns hold a lead late in the second half, Washington’s versatility may earn him additional playing time down the stretch.

Alex January, DT

A rising star among Texas’ true freshmen on defense, Alex January has quietly made a significant impact in recent weeks. Since late September, the defensive tackle has benefitted from learning under experienced seniors like Vernon Broughton, Jermayne Lole, and Tia Savea, while also gaining valuable in-game experience.

Having already burned his redshirt this season, January has taken snaps in six of the Longhorns’ seven games. In the past three weeks, he’s hit his stride, contributing as a rotational player on the defensive line, though mostly in garbage time. During this stretch, he’s recorded a couple of defensive stops, one quarterback pressure, and no missed tackles since the Week 4 non-conference game against UL-Monroe. His development is a promising sign for Texas’ future depth on the defensive front.

Alex January saw a season-high 17 defensive snaps in Texas’s commanding 34-3 win over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry last weekend. He earned his best defensive and run defense grades of the season against the Sooners’ offense.

If January continues to raise his level of play in the coming weeks of SEC action, it’s likely he could earn more meaningful snaps beyond garbage time, especially as the season progresses into November. His steady improvement positions him as a key contributor for Texas down the stretch.

Jordon Johnson-Rubell, S

Two of the most underrated true freshmen on Texas’ defense this season are safety Jordon Johnson-Rubell and linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith, both of whom have shown great promise in live-game action. Having already burned their redshirts, they are prime breakout candidates for the second half of the season from Texas’ 2024 recruiting class.

With sophomore safety Derek Williams Jr. suffering a season-ending injury on kickoff coverage against Oklahoma, Johnson-Rubell is now expected to take on a larger role in Texas’ safety rotation. He has already logged over a dozen defensive snaps across four games this season, ranking second in playing time among true freshman defenders for the Longhorns (according to PFF).

While Texas has effectively given its young defensive players meaningful reps throughout the season, the need for them to step up, particularly at safety, becomes more pressing as the team enters late October and deeper into SEC play. Johnson-Rubell, along with fellow true freshman safety Xavier Filsaime, saw double-digit defensive snaps in Texas’ dominant win over Oklahoma, signaling their growing importance in the defense moving forward.