Countdown to Kickoff: Ryan Wingo
We are four weeks out from Longhorn football getting underway and today we are going to talk about the presumed WR1, Ryan Wingo. Wingo was a top receiver prospect in the 2024 class and Texas was able to win the commitment late in the process over Missouri. He burst onto the scene immediately in 2024, with a number of explosive plays in his freshman year, that set the bar for an explosive sophomore season.
2024 Stats: 29 catches, 472 yards(16.3 yards/catch), 2 TDs
The freshman WR group around the country last year was special. Jeremiah Smith led the way at Ohio State, but Ryan Williams(Alabama), Bryant Wesco(Clemson) and more stole the show as well. That left Wingo underdiscussed compared to his peers a year ago, largely because of the options around him. Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond and Gunnar Helm took the lion's share of the targets a year ago, but when Wingo got the ball in his hands, the ability was immediately clear.
He walks into the 2025 season without Golden or Bond in the room and as the second most experienced WR on the team, behind DeAndre Moore Jr. He is widely expected to be the go-to guy for Arch Manning early and often this year. The two scores Wingo had a year ago came in games Arch Manning was under center, against UTSA and ULM. The rapport between the two is very clear in a short period of time.
This question that many people around the sport have about Texas this year is the replacement of those pass catchers. Ryan Wingo could make a lot of that a non-issue if he elevates his game to the level of Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams in 2025. The talent level is beyond question, with remarkable speed with the ball in his hands, great 50/50 ball ability and plus route running.
Expecting a big year out of sophomore WR Ryan Wingo in 2025.The rising crossers and deep shots were a strength a year ago and certainly fit the strengths of Arch Manning at QB. pic.twitter.com/m7JwHD6JJD
Wingo is one of the most important players for the Longhorns in 2025. The pass game will need a true WR1 throughout the season to reach its potential. I believe, along with a number of others, that Ryan Wingo can become that and more. The mix of the opportunity with many guys moving on, Arch Manning and his confidence together and his unique ability will give way for a huge year for Wingo.
Texas has major questions when it comes to the pass catchers on this team, with tons of new names taking over big roles. Ryan Wingo will be the one among that group that is expected to be the gamechanger. It seems Sarkisian and co. have all the confidence in the world he can do that, with only one portal addition at the WR position. Which brings us to tomorrow's subject for Countdown to Kickoff: the Stanford transfer Emmett Mosley V. We will be back tomorrow to talk about what the former Cardinal can bring to the Texas offense.
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