Dec 29, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Tyrone Swoopes (18) during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 2014 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas coach Charlie Strong has a talented freshman class and he’s not afraid to use them.
Almost a third of the Longhorns’ game-week depth chart is either true freshmen or redshirt freshmen. Most notably, Texas plans to start true freshman Malik Jefferson at middle linebacker and redshirt freshman Edwin Freeman at weak-side linebacker. And redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard will get a chance to show what he can do running the Longhorns offense, though sophomore Tyrone Swoopes will start.
No big deal, though, Texas only begins the season with a trip to 11th-ranked Notre Dame.
Since this will be the first time Texas has played Notre Dame since its current players were toddlers, Strong said he has prepared the team by showing them pictures portraying some of the Fighting Irish traditions. The Longhorns won’t get a walk-through on Friday before the game, so the idea behind the pictures is to prepare them for the Notre Dame mystique.
Ultimately, though, Strong will be more focused on the players wearing burnt orange rather than the ones in gold-dome helmets. The second-year Longhorn coach said he won’t hesitate to use a lot of freshmen and he’ll be most focused on what they can do.
“It’s not about who we’re going to play, but how we’re going to play,” Strong said in his Monday press conference.
For those outside the locker room, it definitely matters who the Longhorns will be playing. Notre Dame is second all-time in wins with 882 in its history, one ahead of Texas in third at 881. The Fighting Irish lead the series, 8-2, and die-hard Texas fans are probably well aware that the Longhorns haven’t defeated Notre Dame since the Cotton Bowl at the end of the 1969 season.
TEXAS PLAYERS TO WATCH
—QB Tyrone Swoopes was named as the Longhorns starting quarterback with about two weeks remaining before the season-opener at Notre Dame. Despite an uneven first season as the starter in 2014, Swoopes held off redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard to keep his starting role. However, Strong has emphasized that Heard will play at Notre Dame.
—MLB Malik Jefferson enrolled early and went through spring practice, helping him earn a starting role in his first game as a true freshman. The Longhorns will need Jefferson to play above his classification as they have almost no experience returning at linebacker.
—CB Duke Thomas leads the team with 23 career starts, seven more than defensive tackle Desmond Jackson, the next most experience player on the roster. Thomas picked off three passes last season and one tackle for loss. He’ll have to up his production as the Longhorns attempt to replace departed defensive back Quandre Diggs.
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads the all-time series, 8-2.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s not a lot to ask. When you’re at University of Texas, this is what you sign up for. You sign on to play in big games and this is a big game for us. If you’re talented enough and you can get on the field, let’s put em on the field.” — Texas coach Charlie Strong on starting freshmen in the season opener at Notre Dame.
