Longhorns P Lebarron Johnson Jr. Announces Return for 2024

After Tanner Witt announced his return, the Texas Longhorns' rotation gets another boost with the return of Lebarron Johnson Jr.

After the season ended there were questions about what the Texas Longhorns' starting rotation would look like when 2024 rolled around. With Lucas Gordon, Lebarron Johnson Jr. and Tanner Witt all draft eligible, those questions were warranted. 

Gordon was ultimately drafted in the sixth round by the Chicago White Sox, while Witt heard his name called in the 18th round by the Baltimore Orioles. Johnson, however, went undrafted. 

However, in the span of two days the Longhorns have received a major boost to their rotation for next season. First, Witt announced on Wednesday that he would be returning to campus. 

Then on Thursday afternoon Johnson followed suit, giving the Longhorns a formidable one-two punch to lead their rotation in 2024. 

I asked God to guide my feet and that’s what he did. Return of the LBJ🤘🏾 pic.twitter.com/qqW6Sq1A0e

— lebarronjr (@Lebarronjr) July 13, 2023

Boasting arguably the filthiest stuff of the pitching staff, with a high 90's fastball that he pairs with a devastating splitter. When he's on his game, he is practically untouchable on the mound. 

He finished the season strong, cementing himself as the Saturday starter following Gordon on Friday's. Sporting a dazzling 2.91 ERA, Johnson finished with a 8-4 record while racking up 98 strikeouts in 86.2 innings of work - including a complete game shutout against Miami in the Coral Gables Regional. 

Getting Johnson back is a big win for David Pierce and the Longhorns, helping secure a second elite arm atop the rotation. If he can pick up where he left off to end this season, they have the potential to be one of the best pitching staffs in college baseball.

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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