Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian Considers Switching Cole Hutson to Left Guard Position
Texas Longhorns Seek Solutions for Offensive Line Woes Ahead of Red River Rivalry
As the Texas Longhorns grapple with challenges in their offensive line, a strategic shift in player responsibilities may offer a solution. With the team struggling to find consistent performance at left guard after Hayden Conner’s departure to the NFL, several candidates have rotated through the position without success. Despite Connor Stroh’s consistent starts, his performance, along with others, has been lacking according to Pro Football Focus ratings.
Texas’ Struggle at Left Guard: Stroh, Brooks, and Umeozulu
This season, the Longhorns have struggled to establish dominance at the left guard position. Connor Stroh began the season as a starter in all five games but was substituted by Nick Brooks, a promising 6-foot-7, 349-pound freshman, during a lackluster performance in Florida. Neto Umeozulu has also seen action, yet inconsistently. Despite their efforts, Stroh (235 snaps), Umeozulu (73 snaps), and Brooks (44 snaps) all received a subpar PFF grade below 65.0.
Considering a Shift: Cole Hutson to Left Guard?
Head coach Steve Sarkisian hinted at a possible move of senior center Cole Hutson to left guard. Originally a guard, Hutson’s primary experience aligns with a potential switch after replacing longtime starter Jake Majors at center this season. Sarkisian acknowledged the consideration without delving into specifics but noted Hutson’s experience with 13 starts at right guard as a freshman. Meanwhile, Connor Robertson has been serving as the backup center, even starting a game when Hutson was injured.
The Consistency Challenge: Will Neto Umeozulu Start?
Despite a strong start to fall camp, Umeozulu has yet to commence in any game this season, raising questions about his positioning. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 325 pounds, his potential remains untapped. Sarkisian emphasized consistency as the key attribute they seek across all positions, including the ability to adjust dynamically during games. Notably, Umeozulu’s brother, Zina, has been a consistent presence on the defensive line.
Red River Rivalry Looms: Texas vs. Oklahoma Showdown
The Texas Longhorns, coming off a 3-2 record, will meet the undefeated No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners in the highly anticipated 121st Red River Rivalry. Oklahoma’s defense presents a formidable challenge, ranking fifth nationally in rushing defense with an average of 74.6 yards per game, coupled with a remarkable 4.2 sacks per game—a statistic tying them for the best average in college football.
With such a critical game approaching, all eyes are on Texas to see if strategic shifts will resolve their ongoing offensive line difficulties and lead to a victory over their historic rivals.
