Longhorns Freshman Report: Two emerge in fall camp

Longhorns fall camp has been in full swing for a little over a week in Austin, capped by a closed scrimmage on Saturday. Longhorns fans know all about the returning stars on the team, like Quinn Ewers and Anthony Hill. But how are the freshmen doing? Have any emerged as true impact players in 2024?

OnTexasFootball’s Bobby Burton and Gerry Hamilton say two freshman are standing out so far in camp – WR Ryan Wingo and Edge Colin Simmons. “They are guys right now that will be in the rotation we believe when Texas plays Colorado State,” Burton said. “They may not play 50 snaps, but I think they’re going to play 15-25. They’ve booth stood out. I think they both get an A or A+ as a grade right now.”

Wingo caught four passes for 81-yards and 2 TDs in the Texas spring game. An All-American Bowl participant, the St. Louis native was ranked No. 5 overall and No. 2 among wide receivers by 247Sports.

The true freshman from St. Louis has been everything and then some that Steve Sarkisian could want. He made more than one play in Saturday’s scrimmage, including a couple tantalizing catches, as well as the every down catch. He’s just got to learn more than one position. Right now Sark said he’s kinda pigeon-holed as that outside receiver because he’s so young. He’s trying to get everything down in the game. This is as good a receiver prospect, full prospect, as we’ve seen at Texas since Roy Williams out of Odessa Permian now more than 25 years ago. — Bobby Burton of OnTexasFootball

Simmons is a two-time state champion out of Duncanville who was ranked No. 22 overall by 247Sports and played in both the 2024 Under Armour All-American Game and 2024 Polynesian Bowl.

We knew he’d have a role as an edge rusher. We didn’t know if it’d be third downs early in the season. The interesting thing to me is he’s showing versatility. In the NASCAR package they broke out in the scrimmage, he was playing Sam Linebacker. He’s showing beyond his gifts athletically and how he’s built up his frame. He’s showing football intelligence. They feel like they can work him in multiple spots before he’s ever played a game as a freshman in college. — Gerry Hamilton of OnTexasFootball

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