Through the ups and downs of the Texas 2022 season. Something most Texas may not have noticed was the health of the offensive line. From Quinn Ewers going from “wow” in his first nine quarters to “don’t look” in the last six games. Bijan Robinson having a Doak Walker award winning season. And Jaylan Ford being named a 3rd team AP All-Pro. Despite all the pretty from the Texas skill positions. Texas’ 2023 season key to success will be themes important stat of the 2022 season, keeping the same starting five offensive line throughout the entire season.

Texas 2023 Offensive Line

With Texas returning four of the starters from the 2022 season. Jonathon Brooks, Jaydon Blue, and Cedric Baxter will be unproven workhorses after three seasons with Bijan Robinson and four seasons with Roschon Johnson leading the room. They will have something that’s been lacking in front of those guys to smooth the transition. Continuity of very big humans who have been playing together for a year and most importantly, staying on the field. The Texas 2023 season will lean on a young, but mature group. All starters played at least 700 snaps in 2022.

Offensive Tackles

What more could you say about Kelvin Banks? He’s going to finish 2022 with over 800 snaps. And has been nothing short of great since snap one. The moment you knew the bully in him was real was when he got into a scuffle in the end zone in one of the first drives of the Red River Rivalry. He was second team all Big 12 this year and there’s no reason to expect less from him in 2023.

The right tackle position could be a little more wait-and-see. We could see Christian Jones return possibly. The big mauler Cam Williams could take that spot after not much action in 2022. Right now he’s listed at 6-foot, 7-inches and 374 pounds. Texas could also be in the market for a transfer to fill that spot for a year. But the most likely starter for Texas in the 2023 season is Cam Williams.

Interior Offensive Line

All three starters in the interior will be around or over 800 snaps as well. Cole Hutson, Jake Majors, and Hayden Conner weren’t great in the run game but did excel in an inopportune passing game. With DJ Campbell pushing for a guard spot, the Texas running game between the tackles could look much better next year. Texas ran 23 straight run plays versus Baylor and they had no adjustments for it with DJ Campbell in the lineup for Cole Hutson.

Cole Hutson was the other true freshman starter. He did well after being thrust into the starting role after Junior Angilau was out for the year. Being a 2022 early enrollee helped him get the job and having his second full offseason will be something that could see him making the biggest jump for the Longhorns next year.

Jake Majors will be the oldest among Texas offensive lineman, should Christian Jones leave. He will be in year four with the Longhorns in 2023. Texas will need him to make strides next year. With new running backs taking the snaps next year. It will help Texas if at least two interior line spots that are much improved in the run game. That is most likely to happen if the year four center makes the jump between promising underclassmen.

When it comes to Hayden Conner. The theme is the same for him as the other two interior linemen. Not enough in the run game, but did well enough to keep the quarterbacks upright in the passing game. With the performance of DJ Campbell, someone may be out of their job by next season. Hayden Conner does have the advantage of being an option at the center position. But improvements will be made in the middle one way or another.

Texas’ 2023 Season Key to Success Closing

The health of the offensive line has allowed them to gain experience and continuity. A lot was left to be desired in the run game. Bijan Robinson’s missed tackle rate made the run game look way better than what the offensive line grades would lead people to believe. Improved strength and conditioning and a full offseason for a lot of the Texas 2022 offensive line class should give Texas the bump needed. But if only one starting combination is used next year. Expect to see an overall huge offensive pickup. The 2022 team scored at a higher clip than the 2021 team. Improved run blocking and improvement from the quarterback play could be what ushers an even greater offensive explosion in year three of the Steve Sarkisian era.

https://texas-talk.com/2022/11/28/the-longhorns-running-back-room-2022/

https://texassports.com/news/2022/12/8/football-robinson-wins-2022-doak-walker-award.aspx