Texas Longhorns

Why Jerrod Heard has to be Texas' No. 1 difference-maker in 2015

Published May. 18, 2015 12:40 p.m. ET

foxsports

The quarterback is everything. Put a competent, athletic signal-caller under center and even the most challenged offenses have a chance to find success.

The Texas Longhorns are coming off a 6-7 season littered by subpar quarterback play. Texas' hope for improvement at the position in 2015 hinges on either junior Tyrone Swoopes making remarkable strides following his first year as the forced starter (he replaced David Ash after Week 1), or redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard delivering the high-level swag that made him a highly touted hot shot in high school.

In ranking the top 22 difference-makers for the Horns to find success next season, Horns Digest ranked Heard No. 1, ahead of No. 4 Swoopes.

While Heard's next game snap will be the first of his college career -- so he still has plenty to learn -- his athleticism and speed would seem to make him a better fit in Texas' new up-tempo, spread scheme they began to install during spring practices.

Typically if coaches believe two players are equal, they'll go with the younger player. The younger player has a greater chance for further development and, of course, more eligibility to bring continuity at the most important position.

So it makes sense that the quarterback job at Texas could be Heard's to lose.

As long has he continues to show improvement, as he did in the spring game, can prove to his coaches and teammates that he has the acumen to handle the position and shows the leadership skills he did in high school, the Longhorns might just start a rookie at quarterback when they open the season on Sept. 5 at Notre Dame.

(h/t Horns Digest)