Texas freshmen tracker: Jermaine Bishop, Samari Matthews emerge as early first-years to watch
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Nearly half of the 27 first-year players for the Texas Longhorns saw playing time in the team’s 59-7 home opener victory over its I-35 rivals, the Texas State Bobcats.
But of the 12 first-year players who saw playing time over the weekend, only four managed to record meaningful statistical entries — wide receiver Jermaine Bishop, running back Derrek Cooper, cornerback Samari Matthews, and linebacker Kosi Okpala.
Bishop shone with breakout potential all afternoon, as the first-year hands-man recorded two catches for 25 yards alongside his older peers, Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman, the latter of whom transferred into the program after leaving Auburn.
Meanwhile, on defense, Matthews is emerging as a freshman to watch after he left fans with a strong first impression that included a half sack and half tackles for loss after earning a backup role to sophomore Kade Phillips at cornerback. Other first-year players such as Meredith, Carlton, Wesley, and Okpala also recorded solo and assisted tackles.
WR Jermaine Bishop
Two receptions on three targets with one drop, 25 yards receiving, 12.5 yards per catch, long of 18 yards in 10 snaps on offense after earning a co-backup role with sophomore Daylan McCutcheon in the slot. Bishop also played 10 snaps on kickoff coverage.
RBDerrek Cooper
Two carries, six yards, 3.0 yards per carry, long of five yards in three snaps before leaving the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury. The Florida product will remain in a boot for the “foreseeable future.”
CB Samari Matthews
Two total tackles, one solo, one assist, half tackle for loss, half sack in 10 snaps on defense and three snaps on kickoff coverage.
CB John Meredith
One solo tackle in 10 snaps on defense.
LB Kosi Okpala
One assist, one defensive stop, half tackle for loss in 10 snaps on defense and 10 snaps on kickoff coverage.
EDGE Jamarion Carlton
One assist and one missed tackle in 10 snaps on defense.
EDGE Richard Wesley
One solo tackle and one defensive stop in 15 snaps on defense as the backup to junior Colin Simmons at the Jack end position.
LBTyler Atkinson
Saw playing time but did not record any statistics in seven snaps on defense.
DB Toray Davis
Saw playing time but did not record any statistics in 10 snaps on defense and three snaps on kickoff coverage.
LBRocky Cummings
Saw playing time but did not record any statistics in 10 snaps on defense.
EDGE Brinley Tita
Saw playing time but did not record any statistics in one snap on defense.
WR Kohen Brown
Showed up on the team’s participation report, but did not have any snaps tracked by Pro Football Focus.
Lastly, here are the freshmen who didn’t manage to get in the game:
Hayward Howard Jr.
Yaheim Riley
James Johnson
Elijah Ali
Trott O’Neal
Jake Collett
John Turntine III
Kaden Scherer (injury)
Nicolas Robertson
Mikey Bukauskas
Dia Bell
Jett Walker
Charlie Jilek
Chris Stewart
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