Steve Sarkisian should consider turning this wide receiver into a running back
Ryan Wingo was the eighth ranked wide receiver nationally in the class of 2024 according to On3 and has been impressing so far for the Texas Longhorns in fall camp. However, the Longhorns have a deep wide receiver room which may see Wingo struggling to get snaps during his true freshman season. As with any big time SEC school, it is often times about waiting your turn.
What does the Texas Longhorns wide receiver room look like for 2024?
Although the Longhorns lost wide receivers Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington to the NFL Draft, they bring back and obtained a lot as well for 2024. Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond figures to lead a wide receiving core that goes six deep at the position and will be complemented by speedster Silas Bolden who transferred from Oregon State.
Isaiah Bond and Silas Bolden statistics: Bond 668 yard receiving and four touchdowns for the Tide last year including being on the receiving end of the historic 4th and 31 hail mary pass from Jalen Milroe in the Iron Bowl to defeat the Auburn Tigers. Bolden had similar numbers for the Beavers in Corvallis totaling 746 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Beyond these two, the Longhorns have a slew of receiver options; many of which come with more experience than Wingo. This combined with the fact that the Longhorns projected started running back, CJ Baxter sustaining a knee injury earlier this week in fall practice and being declared out for the season make for a scenario for Wingo to be a nice complimentary piece in the running game.
Steve Sarkisian's thoughts on Ryan Wingo
Wingo is a 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds that according to Steve Sarkisian “Moves ‘older,’ he’s just stronger and faster that way than most kids coming in.”
Steve Sarkisian on Ryan Wingo: "He moves 'older,' he's just stronger and faster that way than most kids that come in."
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) May 1, 2024
If this is indeed true, a move to running back would seemingly be difficult for teams to gameplan around and may give the Longhorns the between the tackles strength they need, in addition to being able to have the speed to burst to the outside.
The Texas Longhorns running back room
Jaydon Blue: Junior Jaydon Blue was presumed to be the speed back compliment to Baxter who is good for gathering the tough yards up the middle. With Baxter out now, it opens a vacancy that could be filled by Wingo.
Inexperienced running back room: Amongst all of the other available running backs on the roster, they total 12 carries collectively coming into the 2024 season. So although they are highly recruited, it may still make sense to pull Wingo to serve as a compliment to Blue given how strong he said he is.
Ryan Wingo to running back is only temporary for the Texas Longhorns
This is not to say that a return to receiver is off the table after the 2024 season, but it is a way to get your best talent on the field. And we know that Sarkisian is one of the best in college football at maximizing the talent he has and putting them in the right positions for success.
