AUSTIN – The Longhorns started fall camp on Wednesday, and now, just four weeks out from the season, the staff will have everyone on campus for first impressions.

Entering the season after securing the No. 1 recruiting class for 2025, there are three freshmen that Texas fans need to look out for as they arrive in Austin.

Kaliq Lockett, WR

After losing Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden, and Silas Bolden, the Longhorns are now in need of a new receiver to emerge as a superstar, and Kaliq Lockett could be the answer.

Lockett, a 5-star wide receiver ranked No. 2 at the position, could be a star with new quarterback Arch Manning leading the way, so long as he proves himself during camp. 

Out of Sachse, Texas, he managed to bring in 59 passes for 1,299 yards and 13 touchdowns. Even with a change at quarterback as a senior, he still managed to record over 600 receiving yards to pair with seven touchdowns, totaling 2,698 yards and 29 touchdowns in his career.

Longhorn fans can expect Lockett to emerge as a significant role player and provide the Texas offense with a replacement for Bond with his similar play style. He has participated in track and field events and has the speed to excel in run-after-catch situations, but his length at 6-feet-2 allows him to constantly win contested catches and attack the ball in the air.

It will be interesting to see where Lockett’s role is finalized when camp wraps up, but he will likely see regular time on the field once the 2025 season is underway.

Jonah Williams, S

Some Texas fans may have already gotten their first look at Jonah Williams as he made plenty of appearances for the Longhorns baseball team in the spring. But it’s now football season.

Williams, a dual-sport athlete now listed as 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, will provide valuable versatility and athleticism for the already highly skilled Texas defense.

He made his way to Austin from Galveston, Texas, and finished his high school career ranked as the No. 7 player in the nation, even after missing half of his senior season due to injury.

In high school, he played baseball, basketball, and ran some track, all adding to his extremely successful high school resume. At the safety position as a junior, he recorded 58 tackles, four for a loss, four interceptions, and returned three of them for touchdowns.

Aside from just playing other sports, he also played both sides of the ball on the football field. On the offense as a junior, he contributed by catching 20 passes for 474 yards and eight touchdowns. He also recorded two rushes for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

Williams has shown the ability to do anything, and the staff can use that to their advantage. Only time will tell if the coaching staff decides to experiment with him, but no matter where he ends up when Aug. 30 arrives, he has the skill to earn himself some early experience.

Kade Phillips, CB

Although the Texas defense is full of veterans with experience, it doesn’t mean that some rookies won’t stand out in camp. Phillips has the skill to stand out and earn some reps. It may take some time for him to earn a significant role, but his talent will shine.

At 6-feet tall and 180 pounds, he is a lanky defensive back who is a true ball hawk, who also has experience with some track and field events throughout high school. He is fast and has the capabilities to play wide receiver as well.

His ability to lockdown cornerbacks in man coverage is elite, and his ball vision allows him to make plays on tip drills and to get downfield and stop the run.

There’s a reason he finished top-30 in the final rankings and ranked as the No. 5 cornerback in the class. He’s also earned some experience as a safety in high school, so his versatility on the defense will be valuable in the future.

Fans should keep an eye on how he performs during camp, because whether it’s sooner or later, Phillips will be a household name for Longhorns fans at some point.