Four Texas Longhorns Ranked Amongst Best College Football Duos

The Texas Longhorns have a rich history in college football, filled with iconic players, memorable seasons, and national championships. As the Longhorns continue to build on their legacy, one of the key factors to their success lies in the powerful duos that emerge every season. These pairs of players—often from different positions—work in tandem to elevate the team’s performance, creating matchups that are difficult for opponents to stop. In the latest rankings, four Texas Longhorns have been recognized as part of the best college football duos in the nation, with each pairing showing immense promise and the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. These pairings represent some of the brightest stars in college football, showcasing the depth of talent that Texas possesses.

This article will take a deep dive into the four Texas Longhorns ranked among the best college football duos, analyzing their strengths, contributions to the team, and why they have earned their place among the nation’s elite. By examining how these duos complement each other and elevate the Texas program, we’ll gain a clearer picture of how these Longhorns are helping to shape the future of Texas football.

1. Quinn Ewers & Xavier Worthy: The Dynamic Quarterback-Wide Receiver Duo

One of the most exciting and widely discussed duos for the Texas Longhorns is quarterback Quinn Ewers and wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Both players are coming off highly touted seasons, and their continued development is pivotal to Texas’ success in the Big 12 and beyond. Ewers, who transferred to Texas from Ohio State, was expected to be the future of the Longhorns’ offense when he committed, and his performance in 2023 demonstrated that the hype was not misplaced.

Quinn Ewers: The Next Star Quarterback

Ewers, a highly recruited five-star prospect, brings a blend of raw talent and experience to the quarterback position. Standing 6’2” and weighing 214 pounds, Ewers has a strong arm, pinpoint accuracy, and excellent mobility. In 2023, he demonstrated an ability to make throws all over the field, both in the pocket and while on the move. His deep ball accuracy, in particular, is one of his greatest strengths, making him an ideal fit for a Texas offense that thrives on big plays and stretching the field vertically.

One of the biggest improvements Ewers made during the season was his consistency. While he was still prone to the occasional turnover or missed throw, Ewers developed into a reliable leader on the field, controlling the tempo of the game and making key plays when the team needed it most. His maturity as a quarterback has helped elevate the Texas offense, and his rapport with his top wide receivers, including Worthy, has been a major factor in his success.

Xavier Worthy: The Deep Threat Playmaker

On the receiving end of Ewers’ passes is Xavier Worthy, one of the most electrifying wide receivers in college football. Standing at 6’1” and weighing 170 pounds, Worthy is a dynamic playmaker with the ability to take the top off of any defense. His speed, quickness, and route-running ability make him a constant deep threat, and he has a natural ability to track the ball in the air and make spectacular catches. Worthy’s blend of acceleration and agility allows him to separate from defenders, often turning short throws into long gains.

In 2023, Worthy emerged as the go-to target for Ewers, leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field and create mismatches with defenders has made him a matchup nightmare for opposing secondaries. Moreover, Worthy’s ability to work underneath and in the short-to-intermediate range gives Ewers a reliable target on all levels of the field. Worthy’s consistent production, particularly in high-pressure situations, has made him one of the best wide receivers in college football.

Why They Make One of the Best Duos

Together, Ewers and Worthy form one of the most potent quarterback-wide receiver duos in the nation. Their chemistry has been evident since their first season together, and their ability to connect on deep throws, as well as quick-strike plays, is key to Texas’ offensive success. As long as both players continue to improve their timing, decision-making, and overall chemistry, they will be an incredibly difficult pairing to stop. With Ewers’ arm strength and Worthy’s speed, they have the potential to make big plays and win games for the Longhorns.

2. Bijan Robinson & Roschon Johnson: The Dynamic Running Back Duo

While Quinn Ewers and Xavier Worthy dominate the passing game, the Texas Longhorns also possess a potent ground game, led by one of the best running back tandems in the country—Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. This duo provides the Longhorns with the perfect combination of skill sets, allowing Texas to excel in both power running situations and quick-hitting plays.

Bijan Robinson: The All-American Talent

Bijan Robinson has been one of the most talked-about players in college football for the past few seasons, and for good reason. The 6’0”, 215-pound running back is a physical marvel with a combination of size, speed, and agility that makes him a true game-changer. Robinson’s vision and patience as a ball carrier are elite, allowing him to read defenses and explode through holes when they open up. Whether he’s breaking tackles, outrunning defenders, or catching passes out of the backfield, Robinson has proven that he is one of the most versatile and dangerous running backs in the nation.

In 2023, Robinson continued to shine, rushing for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns while also adding 300+ receiving yards. His ability to produce both between the tackles and on the edge makes him a matchup nightmare for defenders, and his versatility allows the Longhorns to keep opposing defenses on their toes. Robinson is more than just a power back; he has the speed to take it to the house on any given play and the hands to contribute in the passing game as well.

Roschon Johnson: The Power Back and Relentless Runner

While Robinson often grabs the spotlight, Roschon Johnson has proven to be a key contributor in his own right. At 6’1” and 223 pounds, Johnson is the power back who complements Robinson’s agility and explosiveness. He is a tough, downhill runner with the ability to gain tough yards between the tackles, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Johnson has also been effective in pass protection, serving as a reliable blocker for Ewers, which is crucial in keeping the pocket clean and maintaining offensive balance.

In 2023, Johnson was a valuable complement to Robinson, providing a solid change-of-pace option. While Robinson often dazzles with his highlight-reel runs, Johnson’s consistent ground game and tough running style helped wear down opposing defenses, setting up big plays for his teammate. His leadership and unselfishness make him a perfect complement to Robinson, and his versatility as a runner, blocker, and occasional receiver makes him a multi-dimensional threat in his own right.

Why They Make One of the Best Duos

Robinson and Johnson form one of the best running back duos in the country due to their complementary skill sets. Robinson provides the home-run ability and explosiveness, while Johnson brings the power and toughness to grind out tough yards and close out games. Together, they form a balanced and dynamic rushing attack that can exploit any defense, especially when the offensive line opens up holes. This duo’s ability to control the clock, wear down opposing defenses, and contribute in both the running and passing games makes them one of the most formidable pairs in college football.

3. Jerrin Thompson & Jahari Rogers: The Shutdown Secondary Duo

While Texas’ offense is garnering much of the attention heading into the season, the defense has also emerged as a strong point of emphasis, particularly in the secondary. In 2023, the Longhorns’ secondary is led by two standout defensive backs, Jerrin Thompson and Jahari Rogers, who form one of the best safety-cornerback duos in college football.

Jerrin Thompson: The Ball Hawk Safety

Jerrin Thompson is a rangy and instinctive safety who has developed into a key player for the Texas defense. Standing at 6’0” and weighing 200 pounds, Thompson is known for his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes and make plays on the ball. He has excellent ball skills and is often in position to make interceptions or force fumbles. Thompson’s ability to cover ground quickly and his high football IQ allow him to make a major impact in both the passing and running games.

In 2023, Thompson was a leader in the secondary, often being the last line of defense in pass coverage. His ability to track the ball and create turnovers made him a key piece of the Longhorns’ defense. Moreover, Thompson’s leadership on the field helped organize the defensive backfield and ensure that the secondary was in the right position to make plays.

Jahari Rogers: The Shutdown Cornerback

Opposite Thompson is Jahari Rogers, a lockdown cornerback who excels in man-to-man coverage. Rogers is a physical corner with excellent speed, ball skills, and the ability to stay step-for-step with even the fastest wide receivers. His size—standing 6’0” and weighing 190 pounds—allows him to be physical at the line of scrimmage, but his agility allows him to recover quickly in coverage, making him a tough matchup for opposing wideouts.

In 2023, Rogers continued to emerge as one of the top cornerbacks in college football, often taking away the opposing team’s best receiver. His ability to shut down one side of the field provides the Longhorns with flexibility in their defensive schemes, allowing defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski to be more aggressive in other areas.

Why They Make One of the Best Duos

Thompson and Rogers form one of the best secondary duos in college football due to their complementary skills. Thompson’s range and ball-hawking ability make him a constant threat in the passing game, while Rogers’ lockdown coverage skills make it difficult for opposing receivers to get open. Together, they provide Texas with a dynamic and disruptive defensive backfield that can stymie both the passing and running games. Their combined ability to shut down receivers, read the quarterback’s eyes, and create turnovers makes them a formidable pair in the Longhorns’ defense.

Conclusion

The Texas Longhorns are well-positioned to make a strong run in 2023, thanks to the incredible talent of their key duos. Whether it’s the high-flying offense led by Ewers and Worthy, the dominant running back tandem of Robinson and Johnson, or the shutdown secondary duo of Thompson and Rogers, the Longhorns have the talent to compete with the best teams in college football. These duos represent the future of Texas football, and if they continue to develop and play at a high level, they could lead the Longhorns to new heights in the coming seasons.