7 new faces to watch in Texas college football

By Artie Guerrero

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We're counting down the days until football is back in the state of Texas, and we're down to seven days. To celebrate, we're pointing out seven new faces that will make an impact in 2019.

OL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M

Previous school: Humble Atascocita

There’s a reason that Green was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school. The true freshman has already started earning first-team reps at Texas A&M practice, despite only joining the program this summer. He can be a legitimate difference-maker in the SEC right away.

RB Deion Hankins, UTEP

Previous school: El Paso Parkland

Hankins is the top running back in El Paso high school history. Now, especially with incumbent Quardraiz Wadley out for the year, Hankins has the chance to step into a starring role. The Parkland product rushed for for 2,270 yards and 27 touchdowns on 10.4 yards per carry as a senior. Now, he has the chance to become a college star.

QB Gresch Jensen, Texas State

Previous school: Fullerton College

Jensen starred at Montana under now-offensive coordinator Bob Stitt as a freshman, and has a chance to be special after reuniting with Stitt in San Marcos. Texas State is desperate for good quarterback play, and Jensen showed he had the goods after becoming a finalist for FCS Freshman of the Year in 2017. 

WR McLane Mannix, Texas Tech

Previous school: Nevada, Midland

Mannix, a Midland native, quickly established himself as one of the top receivers in the Group of Five. When he got the chance to head back to West Texas, Mannix jumped at the opportunity. Now, he’ll have a chance to help jumpstart a wide receiver room that lost its top two receivers to the NFL, and maybe even become an all-conference player. 

LB Dominic Sheppard, UTSA

Previous school: Virginia

Linebacker has been a strength at UTSA under Frank Wilson, but the position is inexperienced after losing Josiah Tauaefa and Les Maruo. Sheppard has a chance to come out right away and become a major contributor – defensive coordinator Jason Rollins needs it to happen. 

RB Jordan Whittington, Texas

Previous school: Cuero

If you don’t know the name “Jordan Whittington,” go back and watch the Cuero vs. Pleasant Grove state title game from December. All he did was rush for more yards than any player ever in an 11-man state title game in this state. Now that he’s on the 40 Acres, it sounds like nothing has changed. We profiled Whittington earlier this summer. 

DL Carl Williams, Stephen F. Austin

Previous school: Lufkin

Williams was committed to Arkansas for a while, but eventually changed his mind at ended up at Stephen F. Austin with new head coach Colby Carthel. WIth the move, Williams became the No. 1 FCS recruit in the nation. Now, he’ll be trusted to help turn around an SFA defense that ranked No. 81 in team tackles for loss a season ago.

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