Texas Football 2024 Depth Chart Prediction: Offense

Despite the loss of CJ Baxter, the Texas Longhorns should still have one of the top offenses in college football this fall

Texas White team running back Jaydon Blue (23) navigates between defense from Texas Orange linebacker Morice Blackwell Jr. (37) and defensive lineman Tiaoalii Savea (98) in the second quarter of the Longhorns' spring Orange and White game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, April 20, 2024. / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Texas Longhorns are just over a week away from the start of one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory.

Heading into their season opener, the Longhorns currently rank No. 4 in the nation in both the AP and Coaches Poll.

And despite the loss of 13 players to the NFL, as well as a host of new faces being counted on to fill key rolls, the Horns are projected to finish near or at the top of the SEC by most analysts.

So with that in mind, who exactly will take the field when the Horns open up against Colorado State on August 31?

Texas Longhorns On SI is taking a swing at projecting how exactly we think the depth chart could shake out for Texas after spring ball, starting with the offense:

Texas Longhorns Johntay Cook II during the sixth day in full pads during fall football camp practice for the Texas Longhorns at Denius Fields on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. / Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Quarterback

1. Quinn Ewers
2. Arch Manning
3. Trey Owens

Quinn Ewers is your undisputed starter. That much is clear. But Manning is also going to get his opportunities. Head coach Steve Sarkisian needs Manning to be ready sooner rather than later with Ewers likely heading to the NFL this spring, and he will have a few opportunities early.

"We need to play him. We need to get him in games," Sarkisian said on the Dan Patrick show. "In the limited action he got last year, he did a nice job. He’s a very talented young man. He’s got a great work ethic/”

Running back

1. Jaydon Blue
2. Tre Wisner
3. Jerrick Gibson

The Longhorns had one of the best running back tandems in the nation with Blue and Baxter, and their respective play styles complemented each other wonderfully. Now, Baxter is out for the season with a knee injury, and Blue must step up and take center stage. He will have talent - albeit inexperienced talent - behind him.

That said, the same things were said last season behind Jonathan Brooks before Baxter and Blue got their opportunities to shine. The loss of Baxter will hurt, but it is not the end of the world, thanks to the depth Tashard Choice has brought in.

April 20, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA: Texas White wide receiver Isaiah Bond runs the ball in to score / Sara Diggins/USA Today Sports via

Wide Receiver

WR - X

1. Isaiah Bond
2. Ryan Wingo
3. Parker Livingstone

WR - Slot

1. Silas Bolden
2. DeAndre Moore
3. Ryan Niblett

WR - Z

1. Johntay Cook
2. Matthew Golden
3. Aaron Butler

The Longhorns receiver corps is deep and talented, and the exact combination of three for the starting lineup is still in flux. Bond, Cook, and Bolden seem like the best bets as the starters, but the Longhorns could role six to seven deep every Saturday. It is the deepest and arguably the most talented the room as been in the Steve Sarkisian. And yes, that includes last season when the Horns had three NFL Draft picks in the room.

Tight End

1. Gunnar Helm
2. Amari Niblack
3. Juan Davis

Helm is the more experienced player and has been coming along nicely this spring. Niblack, meanwhile, is the best athlete the Horns have at the position and has big-time mismatch potential. Both will be used plenty. Juan Davis has also impressed and could be used in a variety of roles this fall. All three will be key to the roster.

Oct 7, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) in action / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive line

Left Tackle

1. Kelvin Banks
2. Trevor Goosby
3. Jaydon Chatmon

Left Guard

1. Hayden Conner
2. Neto Umeozulu
3. Connor Stroh

Center

1. Jake Majors
2. Connor Robertson
3. Daniel Cruz

Right Guard

1. DJ Campbell
2. Cole Hutson
3. Nate Kibble

Right Tackle

1. Cameron Williams
2. Brandon Baker
3. Malik Agbo

The Longhorns might have the best offensive line in the SEC, headlined by the nation's best left tackle, Kelvin Banks. Cameron Williams will step in to replace Christian Jones, while the rest of the line that helped lead the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff returns. Brandon Baker is likely the future at the tackle position after Banks heads to the NFL, and while he still has some developing to do, he will play.