Who are these guys? New-look Texas offensive line eager to show 'grit'

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Trevor Goosby understands the concerns, he really does.

After all, the new starting left tackle for Texas football and his teammates must replace four starters from an offensive line that earned back-to-back finalist spots for the coveted Joe Moore Award, which is annually given to college football's best set of offensive linemen.

It's a massive challenge, Goosby admits. But it's also a giant opportunity on an offense rich in the skill spots with players such as quarterback Arch Manning, receiver Ryan Wingo and running backs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter.

"We have a new identity," said Goosby, who's entering his junior season. "We have to really, really come together and find out our identity and who we are as O-line."

And just a few days into training camp, how would Goosby describe a group that also includes new left guard Neto Umeozulu, guard-turned-center Cole Hudson, returning starting right guard DJ Campbell and a new right tackle in Brandon Baker or Andre Cojoe?

"I think we're a really gritty O-line," he said. "I think we're just ground-and-pound. We just have that ability to move somebody off the ball and establish ourselves. That's what we pride ourselves on, for sure."

Before looking ahead at the Longhorns' 2025 season that kicks off with a visit Aug. 30 to defending national champion Ohio State, let's glance back at the last few seasons for the Texas offensive line. Departed left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., guard Hayden Connor and center Jake Majors all started for at least three seasons. Right tackle Cam Williams impressed in his one season in the starting lineup. All are currently in NFL training camps, which helps explain why the Longhorns ranked no worse than 25 in the nation in total offense in each of the past three years.

But Kyle Flood, the Longhorns' offensive coordinator who focuses on the line, thinks the youth movement up front will add a jolt to the unit. Flood and head coach Steve Sarkisian have recruited particularly well in the trenches over the past few recruiting cycles, which means the team has a depth chart stacked with former blue-chip recruits.

Even Baker, a consensus five-star prospect in 2024, could be brought along slowly as a reserve even though he burned a redshirt season while appearing in eight games.

"I think anytime you are getting the opportunity to be a full-time starter for the first time, there should be a little bit of a chip on your shoulder," Flood said. "There's other guys behind them that are trying to win those jobs, too."

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Aside from the right tackle battle between Baker and Cojoe, the Texas line seems almost set even though Flood and Sarkisian always talk about the benefits of competition for playing time. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Goosby started two games last season at both tackle spots and seems like a natural fit guarding Manning's blind side.

"I've got to protect my guy," Goosby said, referring to Manning. "I would say he's one of the most prized possessions of our team."

Flood has long liked the footwork and athleticism of Goosby, a former high-level basketball player in high school in the distant Dallas suburb of Melissa. Goosby's commitment to the weight room throughout the offseason has added more power to his run-blocking, which Flood described as the next step in his development.

"Trevor has had a really good summer in building his body," Flood said. "Offensive linemen come to you in all different shapes and forms. Some guys get here, and they may be a little too big and we lean them up a little bit. Other guys, like Trevor, were really lean, and we've kind of built him up. Now, he's moving as well in his body as he's ever moved. It's kind of come together in a really good way."

Defensive end Ethan Burke, no shrimp himself at 6-feet-6 and 260 pounds, says he can feel the difference while going against Goosby in practice.

"Trevor, he's a huge human being and he's very physical," Burke said. "That's how they raise you through the program; you just become more physical as you are here longer."

Umeozulu, a 6-4, 325-pound junior, has played in five games in each of the past two seasons but seems primed for heavy snaps while the 6-5, 308-pound senior Hutson has apparently played plenty of center in practice even though he's only seen action at guard while playing in 38 games.

"Is Cole ready to do it (at center)?" Flood said. "He's absolutely ready to do it. Really, really smart player that's been in our system for four years. And he has played a lot of center in situations (the media members) haven't seen in practice."

Campbell, a 6-3, 321-pound senior who could play his way into first-round NFL pick status, remains the bully of the bunch.

"He does some things from an offensive line perspective that very few guys can do, in terms of moving people off the ball," Flood said.

And then there's Baker, who may have a leg up on Cojoe based on his run with the first team during the first week of practice. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound sophomore boasts quick feet like Goosby but also has a little nastiness to his game, especially when going up against the Texas edges like Burke or sophomore sensation Colin Simmons in practice.

"On a pass rush, he gets this hand on my rib, and it pisses me off sometimes, but he's really good at it," Burke said. "He's just a smart player and a really hard worker. He's always here getting extra work, and he's always in the weight room. That's really helped bring his game to another level."

That description must please Sarkisian, who says he wants his linemen like Baker "to play a little more nasty, if you want me to be to be honest."

"We saw those guys get feisty at times with the defensive players, but Ethan Burke will do that to you, right?" he said. "Colin will do that to you. They prod you a little bit, and that might have been a little intentional, because we want to see how are they going to respond."