Texas is just under three weeks from the season opener, where the No. 1 (in the Coaches Poll) Longhorns will try to enact revenge against defending national champions (and No. 2 in the Coaches Poll) Ohio State. With Lee Corso’s final College Gameday in Columbus, the days can’t go by any faster. In preparation, we’re checking in on every Longhorn grouped by jersey number. Next? 24-20.
Texas is just under three weeks from the season opener, where the No. 1 (in the Coaches Poll) Longhorns will try to enact revenge against defending national champions (and No. 2 in the Coaches Poll) Ohio State. In preparation, we’re checking in on every Longhorn grouped by jersey number.
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Up next, Nos. 24-20.
- Here’s Nos. 99-89.
- Here’s Nos. 88-77.
- Here’s Nos. 76-60.
- Here’s Nos. 59-55.
- Here’s Nos. 54-50.
- Here are defensive players added to the updated roster.
- Here are offensive players added to the updated roster.
- Here’s Nos. 49-45.
- Here’s Nos. 44-40.
- Here’s Nos. 39-35.
- Here’s Nos. 34-25.
No. 24 – Rickey Stewart Jr., RB
Stewart, a three-star from Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill, may find carries hard to come by in 2025 with CJ Baxter, Quintrevion Wisner, Christian Clark, and Jerrick Gibson ahead of him. He has made the most of enrolling early, but Stewart Jr. still has development ahead of him. He has quality athleticism, so he probably will be utilized regularly on Jeff Banks‘ special teams. So long as the running backs don’t have to be taken off teams like last season, Stewart Jr. should be expected to make a few plays in the third phase in 2025.
No. 24 – Warren Roberson, RB
Most of the cornerback competition discussion has revolved around Kobe Black and Jaylon Guilbeau. The other corner spot isn’t really up for grabs as Malik Muhammad has played extremely well during the first parts of training camp but Roberson has put together a few quality practice, including in the most recent scrimmage. Roberson is working to solidify his status as a trustworthy defensive back for Duane Akina and Pete Kwiatkwoski, and also remain a big part of the Longhorns’ special teams. Roberson saw the second most special teams snaps last year according to Pro Football Focus. His athleticism will play for Banks’ units.
No. 23 – Jordon Johnson-Rubell, DB
Most of the discussion about the 2025 Longhorn secondary has talked about the same five or six players. Muhammad. Black. Guilbeau. Michael Taaffe. Jelani McDonald. Derek Williams. Johnson-Rubell is fighting to enter that conversation. A second year player who has the traits for both safety and nickel, Johnson-Rubell is one of the backup safeties at this current point. Expect him to see some standard down snaps in 2025 in non-garbage time and be a part of the Longhorns special teams.
No. 22 – Retired for Bobby Layne
One of a handful of Pro Football Hall of Famers who once suited up for the Longhorns, Layne was a four-time first-team All-Southwest Conference selection before earning two first-team All-Pro selections with the Detroit Lions. He helped Detroit to three NFL titles and made the NFL’s 1950s All-Decade Team. At Texas he passed for 3145 yards and 25 touchdowns and was a two-time top-10 finisher in Heisman voting. Layne had his jersey retired in 2008.
No. 21 – Ryan Niblett, RB
Niblett is going to contribute somewhere. It may be as the main man on Texas’ return units. It may be in the form of carries from the running back position on offense. It may be in the form of receptions split out wide as a receiver. But Niblett is going to contribute. A player who the Longhorn coaches hold in high esteem, Niblett could play a role similar to the one Keilan Robinson had in 2023 and that the Longhorns lacked in 2024. It’s almost a pejorative to call someone a gadget player, so let’s describe Niblett as a multitalented offensive weapon.
No. 20 – Retired for Earl Campbell
20 days
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) August 10, 2025pic.twitter.com/MnRJebI8LQ
The Longhorns’ first Heisman Trophy winner, Campbell finished his career with 4443 yards and 40 touchdowns. He posted two 1000-yard seasons, one in 1975 and one in his 1977 Heisman campaign, and his freshman season in 1974 brought him near four figures with 928. His 1977 saw him rush for 1744 yards and 18 touchdowns, both figures that led Division I. That season earned him unanimous All-American honors.
He as drafted first overall by the Houston Oilers in 1978, and went on to a Hall of Fame career with three first-team All-Pro selections, three NFL offensive player of the year picks, three rushing titles, and the 1970 NFL MVP.
Category: General Sports
