As Texas Longhorns fall camp continues, three potential stars are emerging ahead of the 2024 college football season

If the Texas Longhorns want to push for a national championship this season (or any time soon) they're going to have to continue building elite depth as new stars emerge every single year. With fall camp well underway a handful of fun players--young and old--have been standing out as important contributors both now and into the future. Let's dive into three potential stars stepping up as the 2024 college football season approaches for Texas.

Barryn Sorrell the leader Texas needs

Now that T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy are gone the defensive front is going to need to perhaps lean a bit more on their edge defenders. The Longhorns already have Ethan Burke and brought in star transfer Trey Moore (from UTSA), but don't forget about Barryn Sorrell. When he first stepped up into a starting role in 2022 his athletic traits and high motor were on constant display on plays like the one below against TCU.

Sorrell's drive to finish and fight through every snap has been a huge part Texas' defense two years in a row now and that's not about to change. And if some fans aren't already familiar with his freakish athleticism, they should be this season. He's flashed it before this highlight below, but not many plays showcase it more than this coverage snap where he ran stride for stride with running back Devin Neal of Kansas.

6'4", 265-pound edge defenders shouldn't be able to keep up with running backs, but Sorrell has the speed and acceleration to do it. He's reportedly been stepping up as a leader in camp this off-season, continuing to dominate by example. With a strong season where he takes one more step as a pass rusher he could find himself some real NFL Draft stock too.

Colin Simmons meeting high expectations

The five star edge defender is living up to the hype in camp for Texas so far. Simmons hails from one of the best high school football programs in the country in Duncanville, Texas, but somehow stood out as their best player two seasons in a row as he tallied nearly 50 career sacks.

Multiple reporters who follow the team daily fully expect Simmons to earn a rotational role immediately, seeing the field somewhere up to or around 20 times per game because his physical traits are simply too dominant to leave on the sideline. He may be more of a specific-package-only pass rush specialist if camp scrimmages are any indication, but Steve Sarkisian clearly wants his five star on the field early.

Ryan Wingo is earning a real role early

Texas Longhorns fans who have been following the team throughout the offseason already know Ryan Wingo is the real deal. Despite just joining the team as an early enrollee in January, Wingo immediately made huge plays in the spring game, catching four receptions for over 80 yards and a couple scores.

Since then he apparently hasn't slowed down in his development. While yes, the Longhorns did bring in three key transfers at wide receiver to contribute as likely starters this season, don't be surprised if Wingo logs several splash plays as a five star talent out wide. Isaiah Bond (from Alabama), Matthew Golden (from Houston), and Silas Bolden (from Oregon State) may be the highest snap count wide receivers this year, but Wingo and true sophomore Johntay Cook should both see significant action this fall.

Related: Texas Longhorns' defense is going to lean on one key breakout star player throughout 2024 college football season

Be looking for more Texas Longhorns coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

And if you want to check out some of Ryan Wingo's highlights from last year to get an idea of his physical prowess and impressive skill set just watch the video below!