**TEXAS LONGHORNS PLAYER-PLAYER EVALUATION
Week 1 vs. Ohio State — Longhorns Fall 62–52 in Offensive Shootout**
In a Week 1 heavyweight clash between No. 2 Texas and No. 4 Ohio State, the Longhorns delivered offensive fireworks but were ultimately undone by defensive breakdowns and explosive Buckeye plays. The 62–52 loss showcased both elite individual performances and glaring areas needing immediate correction.
Below is your detailed player-by-player evaluation.
QUARTERBACKS
Akili Smith Jr. — 21/36 | 405 yards | 5 TD | 2 INT | 1 sack | 187.5 rating
Smith Jr. put on one of the best statistical performances of his career, yet his day will be remembered as a mix of brilliance and costly miscues.
Positives:
- Elite vertical accuracy, repeatedly beating Ohio State’s corners over the top.
- 5 touchdown passes, all generated by decisive reads and anticipatory throws.
- Managed the pocket far better than last season, often sliding to extend throwing windows.
- Averaged 19.3 yards per completion, proving Texas can score from anywhere.
Areas to clean up:
- The two interceptions shifted momentum—one on a forced throw into leverage, one on a late deep shot that allowed the Buckeyes a short field.
- Struggled in a few third-down sequences where tempo and timing broke down.
Overall, Smith Jr. was not why Texas lost—but in a shootout of this magnitude, every turnover matters.
Marcel Reed — 11/19 | 171 yards | 1 TD | 2 INT | 2 sacks
Reed provided valuable snaps and flashed why he remains QB2, but the mistakes were magnified.
Positives:
- Delivered a gorgeous 69-yard touchdown strike—the longest play for Texas on the night.
- Created second-chance throws with his mobility.
Negatives:
- Two interceptions, both on balls that drifted late.
- Took avoidable sacks trying to extend plays unnecessarily.
Reed helped keep Texas in the fight, but the turnover margin remains a storyline.
RUNNING BACKS
Manu Rome — 13 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD | 10 catches, 246 yards, 3 TD
This was a superstar breakout performance.
Rome was the most dangerous weapon on the field—on either team.
Rushing:
- Ran with physicality and balance, breaking 7 tackles and generating 22 YAC.
- His 16-yard TD run was textbook vision + acceleration.
Receiving:
- One of the greatest receiving games by a Texas RB in program history.
- 246 yards, 3 TD, and a staggering 214 yards after catch.
- Turned simple checkdowns and angle routes into back-breaking explosives.
If there’s a silver lining in a 62–52 loss, it’s the emergence of a legitimate Heisman-tier playmaker in Rome.
Marcel Reed (rushing) — 6 carries, 28 yards
Showed mobility and toughness, but wasn’t a central part of the game plan.
RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS
J. Ffrench — 7 catches, 126 yards, 1 TD
Reliable and explosive. Found soft zones and attacked leverage extremely well. The 33-yard grab was a momentum spark. Zero drops.
Kaliq Lockett — 5 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD
A strong opener for Texas’ new WR1.
- Crisp route breaks.
- A beautiful 26-yard touchdown where he won inside leverage.
DeAndre McCutcheon — 4 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
Played his role perfectly—chain mover, tough catches in traffic, RAC when needed.
Jaylen Washington — 5 catches, 51 yards
Underrated contribution in the intermediate game. Provided stability in a high-tempo shootout.
J. Simon — 1 catch, 11 yards
Limited role, but secured his only target.
Overall: The receiver group did their job. The offense scored 52. This loss was not on them.
DEFENSE
Allowing 62 points tells the story—but within the struggle, several players graded out well individually.
Xavier Filsaime — 13 tackles (3 solo, 10 assist), 2 TFL, 1 PBU
Your senior captain played with heart.
He was everywhere—cleaning up explosive runs, rallying to screens, making sure Texas didn’t completely break. His two tackles for loss were perfectly timed fits, and his lone pass breakup prevented another OSU score.
This was a leadership game for Filsaime, even in a loss.
C. Ross II — 11 tackles, 2 TFL
Physical, aggressive, and one of the few defenders who consistently shed blocks. Forced key third-down stops but was asked to do too much with the Buckeyes spreading the field.
T. Smith — 9 tackles, 1 TFL
Played with high motor and effort. Struggled in space at times but filled interior gaps well.
Jonah Williams — 8 tackles, 2 TFL
Great downhill play. One of Texas’ best run defenders on the night.
K. Phillips — 5 tackles
Solid game in coverage and run fits, but OSU’s tempo forced Texas into constant nickel substitutions.
Chase Rucker — 4 tackles, 1 TFL
Quiet box score, but impactful snaps. Good pursuit angles.
Z. Umeozulu — 3 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack
One of the biggest bright spots on defense. His edge pressure created the lone sack of the night and briefly slowed OSU’s rhythm.
Aaron January — 3 tackles
Contained but steady.
Kobe Black — 2 tackles
Ohio State avoided him in coverage but targeted space away from him in RPO and motion sequences.
Nelson King, Hodges, Charles, O’Neal
Role players who added rotational snaps but could not collectively stop Ohio State’s avalanche of explosives.
TEAM SUMMARY
Offense:
- 52 points is championship-level production
- 600+ yards of total offense
- Rome + Smith Jr. look elite already
– Turnovers kept OSU’s foot on the gas
Defense:
– 62 points allowed
– Multiple blown assignments in zone
– Poor tackling on perimeter runs and screens
– Lack of pressure on OSU’s QB
- Filsaime, Ross II, Williams, Umeozulu showed fight
Bottom Line:
Texas can compete for a national title—but the defense must be fixed immediately. The offense proved it can carry games, but not alone against elite opponents.
