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Over the next two weeks, we're analyzing the depth charts of every Big 12 team coming out of the spring. We continue today with Texas and our best estimation of its unofficial two-deep. OFFENSE (projected starters in bold) QB: Tyrone Swoopes (Jr.), Jerrod Heard (RFr.) You heard it from Charlie Strong himself on Saturday: Swoopes is still No. 1 until further notice. Heard positioned himself as the fan favorite, but he can’t match the experience Swoopes gained in 2014. We’ll see if Kai Locksley can push both of them to compete even harder when he enrolls in June. RB: Johnathan Gray (Sr.), D'Onta Foreman (So.) or Duke Catalon (RFr.)  Gray is chasing the first 1,000-yard season of his career and should have an easier time behind an improving line. On his best days, he’s one of the Big 12’s most complete backs. Foreman is a thumper and Catalon brings a nice mix of speed and toughness. Freshmen Chris Warren III, Kirk Johnson and Tristian Houston will battle for snaps, too.
WR: Marcus Johnson (Sr.), Armanti Foreman (So.), Ty Templin (Jr.)
WR: Dorian Leonard (So.), Lorenzo Joe (So.)
WR: Jacorey Warrick (Jr.), Daje Johnson (Sr.)
TE/HB: Alex De La Torre (Sr.), Andrew Beck (So.), Blake Whiteley (Jr.) Who is the No. 1 option at wide receiver? That remains to be seen. Warrick and Leonard stepped up in the spring, but there is a lot of inexperienced talent in this group. Watch out for Foreman and Joe if they can get more snaps. None of the four incoming freshman receivers (five if you count tight end Devonaire Clarington) are guaranteed to redshirt, but they will have to battle to get on the field. Beck is the better true tight end, but De La Torre played fullback three years and moved all over the field as essentially an H-back in the spring game. LT: Marcus Hutchins (Sr.), Brandon Hodges (Jr.)
LG: Sedrick Flowers (Sr.), Terrell Cuney (RFr.)
C: Taylor Doyle (Sr.), Jake Raulerson (So.)
RG: Kent Perkins (Jr.), Elijah Rodriguez (RFr.)
RT: Connor Williams (Fr.), Tristan Nickelson (So.) This is how Texas lined up for the spring game, which might not mean much. Joe Wickline will keep these competitions ongoing throughout fall camp and into the season. Williams made a big impression as an early enrollee and can play a variety of roles. Hodges offers similar versatility. Darius James, Garrett Thomas, Camrhon Hughes and Alex Anderson should continue to push for spots in the two-deep. DEFENSE SDE: Shiro Davis (Sr.) or Bryce Cottrell (Jr.), Quincy Vasser (Jr.)
NT: Hassan Ridgeway (Jr.), Desmond Jackson (Sr.), Paul Boyette Jr. (Jr.)
DT: Poona Ford (So.), Alex Norman (Jr.)
FOX: Naashon Hughes (So.), Caleb Bluiett (Jr.), Derick Roberson (RFr.) Davis and Cottrell shall share the task of replacing Cedric Reed. Roberson and Bluiett have big potential but were sidelined by injuries this spring. Texas needs Vasser, a junior college transfer, to chip in this fall as well. It’s difficult to predict how the Horns will line up their defensive tackles after Jackson (foot) sat out this spring. Assuming he regains his starting role, he’ll play nose and Ridgeway moves back to defensive tackle. But Ford, the defensive tackle for now, made a major push this spring during Jackson’s absence and is going to play a big-time role in his second year. OLB: Peter Jinkens (Sr.), Edwin Freeman (RFr.)
ILB: Dalton Santos (Sr.) or Timothy Cole (Jr.), Malik Jefferson (Fr.) Santos went down in spring ball with an ankle injury but is expected to be healthy by July. Cole did a nice job of taking over for him inside. But the spring game was an eye-opener in this way: Jefferson and Freeman looked like Texas' two best linebackers while facing the No. 1 offense. Depth isn’t great here, but a few freshmen are on the way. CB: Duke Thomas (Sr.), Antwuan Davis (So.)
CB: Bryson Echols (Jr.), Sheroid Evans (Sr.)
NB: John Bonney (RFr.), Jermaine Roberts (RFr.)
FS: Jason Hall (So.), Kevin Vaccaro (Jr.)
SS: Dylan Haines (Jr.), Adrian Colbert (Jr.) Can Thomas be a reliable No. 1 cornerback in the Big 12? He’s taking on a bigger leadership role. Evans was working with the starters until he went down with another injury, and Davis battled Echols for his spot from there. Bonney looks like he’s going to be special. Don’t be surprised if several incoming freshmen play right away.
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