AUSTIN, TEXAS - The Texas Longhorns received a significant boost ahead of their season opener against the Texas State Bobcats, as senior left tackle Trevor Goosby has been declared fit to play. After suffering a non-contact injury on August 17, the preseason All-American has made a remarkable recovery, prompting head coach Steve Sarkisian to confirm that Goosby is 'good to go' for Saturday's matchup.
Goosby, who stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 325 pounds, returned to practice for the first time on Monday after dealing with a bone bruise to his knee. His participation increased steadily throughout the week, demonstrating his readiness for the game. Sarkisian noted, "It was about him getting back out to practice. I thought he had a really good practice on Monday. We increased his workload on Tuesday, he had a really good practice Tuesday, came back good. We increased his workload Wednesday, looked good again. We increased his workload even more today, looked good again. So he’s kind of been building throughout the week."
From a technical and mental perspective, Sarkisian expressed satisfaction with Goosby’s performance in practice. The coach emphasized the importance of physicality for offensive linemen, stating, "I thought he’s been playing with really good pad level, good physicality. I think that he needs to play football and linemen are really the most important ones that they need that physicality." This assessment is crucial as the Longhorns prepare for a challenging season ahead.
However, the coaching staff remains cautious regarding Goosby’s conditioning, especially with the forecast predicting a high of 96 degrees on game day. Sarkisian mentioned, "We have to monitor the conditioning probably more than anything under the conditions that we’re going to be playing in Saturday with the heat, and so that’s something that we’ll be watching, just so that he’s not getting fatigued and not playing to his capability." This concern highlights the physical demands placed on players during early-season games.
The impact of the weather on Goosby’s conditioning could also influence the playing time of senior Andre Cojoe, who has been practicing in Goosby’s absence. Sarkisian indicated that they plan to give Cojoe some game reps, acknowledging his strong performance during camp. "I do think Andre’s had a great camp, and Andre deserves his opportunities to play as well," he said, illustrating the depth and competition within the Longhorns' offensive line.
As the Longhorns gear up for their season opener, Goosby's return is a pivotal development for the team. His experience and skill on the offensive line will be crucial as Texas aims to establish a strong start to the season, particularly with a challenging matchup against No. 1 Ohio State looming in Week 2. The Longhorns will look to leverage Goosby’s presence to set the tone for their offensive strategy against Texas State.
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