Texas Longhorns

Heard will have new QB competition with recruit's early arrival

Published Oct. 20, 2015 4:03 p.m. ET

foxsports

Not long ago, Texas fans would have been begging for the news that came out Tuesday: 2016 quarterback commit Shane Buechele has signed financial aid agreements in order to enroll at Texas early.

It allows Buechele to get to work with the Longhorns during spring workouts instead of waiting until the end of August for fall camp.

We got another one! @BGShaneBuechele, Welcome to the @Longhorn_FB Family! #SQUAD #letsride pic.twitter.com/HrGZYPJCZQ
— Texas Football (@TexasFB) October 19, 2015

But with the emergence of redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard since his insertion as the starter in Week 2, any anticipation for Buechele to put on a Horns helmet as quickly as possible has dissipated. Previously, no one knew if Heard would be the answer. He didn't play at all last year as Tyrone Swoopes was unimpressive, and then he failed to win the job coming out of fall camp.

Now he has the job secure, igniting a fire under an offense that had flailed and a fan base that was losing interest quickly.

Nevertheless, come the spring, Heard will have early competition from a highly touted recruit with a strong arm.

And that should still come as good news for Texas fans.