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Texas Football completed its 10th spring practice on Monday out of the 15 allocated by the NCAA. Practice No. 9 held on Saturday included several scrimmage periods, providing valuable information gathering opportunities for the Longhorns coaching staff.
So what did Texas learn and who played well?
Sarkisian limited his outstanding list to newcomers, limiting what he called “developmental players.” Almost 12 former Texas players declaring the NFL draft, there should be plenty of opportunities for the new face.
“The broad scope, the big picture, I thought there were some real positives,” Sarkisian said when he met the media on Monday. “We probably could talk about a lot of people.”
Some of the players highlighted by the coach are:
DB Warren Roberson
Roberson played 299 snaps for the Longhorns on a special team last season, but played only 26 reps in defense, mainly in corners. Sarkisian has promoted the 5-foot-10, 201-pound native of Red Oak as the original developmental player.
“We’re starting to see his worth on the defensive side of the ball,” Sarkisian said.
DB Gerani MacDonald
Texas fans know what Gelani McDonald can do. He proved to be a strength when filling for injured Andrew Mukuba last season, bringing that positive impression into a more prolific role as a stretch reserve. McDonald finished his sophomore season with 33 tackles and interceptions. He split the time into box safety, free safety, slot corners in 2024, and got the opportunity to settle down as a regular slot corner.
“I thought Gelani MacDonald had really shown something good,” Sarkisian said. “The man who grows into that position, moves, moves, moves, and is truly positive for us in that respect.”
DLS Hero Cane and Cole Brevard
The Longhorns brought three transfers on defensive tackles over the offseason. Sarkisian gave the two praises at Canu and Brevard on Monday. Listed at 6-foot-5, 309 pounds, Kanu is a former top 150 recruit who hasn’t had much opportunity in Ohio. The 6-foot-3, 352-pound Brevard has relatively played more than 1,000 snaps in the last three seasons at Purdue.
“Both were really solid players for us, defensively,” Sarkisian said.
lb/de Brad Spence
Before moving to Austin, during his sophomore season at Arkansas, Spence added his only winter transfer to defense, registering 54 tackles and 4½ bags. Sarkisian touted his positional versatility, which plays the role of a hybrid as one of the reasons he targeted Spence.
“We’re now getting the best version of Brad Spence,” Sarkisian said. “…He was the guy who painted a bit of a nick when we got him and he had to develop into playing there and play more football.”
Te Emaree Winston
His outstanding only freshman Sarkisian was Winston, the fourth-lowest rated player in Texas’ 25 recruiting class by the 247 Sports Composite rankings. Listed at 6-foot-1, 246 pounds, Winston was a three-star Georgia outlook.
“Emary Winston was the one who showed up and did something really great for us with the tight end,” Sarkisian said. “He appeared another night.”
WR Parker Living Ston
No one has generated more talk this spring than Livingstone. Livingstone is 6 feet 4 wide out towards the redshirt freshman year. With Deandre Moore and Ryan Wingo on the sidelines due to injuries, Livingstone takes advantage of the person in charge being sent down his path.
“Parker Livingston continues to play well for us,” Sarkisian said.
OT Brandon Baker
Texas lost both starting tackles to the NFL Draft. Trevor Goosby looks like a certainty filling one of those holes. Can a 6-foot-4, 316-pound Baker fill the other? Baker, a five-star signer in the 2024 cycle, played 65 snaps last season, mainly on right tackles.
“Brandon Baker is the guy who was a developmental player for us,” Sarkisian said. “Now in his second year, he’s beginning to show a lot of consistency as well.”
Contact Texas insider David Eckert by email at deckert@gannett.com. Follow American-Statesman on Facebook and explain X in detail. Your subscription allows for this kind of work. Get access to all the best content with this incredible offer.
