This story was supposed to be about Garrett Gilbert.

Would the Texas quarterback by able to step in next season for the departed Colt McCoy? Would he be able to run the offense? Would the sophomore be composed?

After watching Gilbert throw two second-half touchdowns in the national championship game loss to Alabama, it's safe to say the former Lake Travis High School star isn't the Longhorns' biggest question mark heading into the 2010 season.

But who he's throwing to this fall might be.

Defensive tackle, quarterback and the running game are certainly three issues the Longhorns need to focus on this offseason, but the wide receivers are going to have a lot of pressure trying to replace Jordan Shipley's 116 receptions, 1,486 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Two years ago, Texas' biggest strength was its receiving corps, with Quan Cosby and Shipley.

Last year, the group struggled without Cosby.

Next year there will be no Shipley.

Not only is Shipley gone, but those who were expected to replace his production are gone, too. Brandon Collins is no longer on the team. Neither is Dan Buckner.

The status of tight end Blaine Irby still isn't known.

So what are the options?

James Kirkendoll caught 48 passes for 461 yards and six touchdowns. But he disappeared in both the national and Big 12 championship games, including a huge drop of a sure touchdown against Nebraska.

Malcolm Williams caught 39 passes for 550 yards and two touchdowns. But he also disappeared the last two games and had a couple of drops in the national championship game, including one in the first half from Gilbert that would have gone for a touchdown.

Chances are, some unknowns and unproven players will see passes from Gilbert next year.

Quarterback convert John Chiles still is learning how to be a consistent receiver.

Receivers coach Bobby Kennedy was excited about the progress of 6-foot-3-inch freshman Greg Timmons.

Marquise Goodwin, D.J. Monroe and DeSean Hales, who was a highly touted recruit two years ago, are other options.

Another possibility is the incoming recruits. The Longhorns have four receivers committed to the class of 2010, and combined — on paper — they might be Texas' best receiving haul ever.

Fort Worth's Darius White, Dallas' Mike Davis, Daingerfield's Chris Jones and Garland's John Harris all look like prototypical receivers. They're all fast. They're all highly rated. They all will come in knowing that playing time is available.

If one or two of those players step up — Davis and White might be the most college-ready prospects — the receiving unit could once again be a strength.

Another question could be the players protecting Gilbert, as the offensive line will have a transition without Chris Hall, guard Charlie Tanner and tackle Adam Ulatoski.

One guard spot will be filled by injured freshman Mason Walters, whose foot should be healed.

David Snow is expected to take over at center and Trey Allen, Michael Huey, Britt Mitchell and Luke Poehlmann will compete for playing time.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Longhorns lose their top four defenders in defensive end Sergio Kindle, tackle Lamaar Houston, linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy and safety Earl Thomas.

The hardest to replace might be Houston; Kheeston Randall and Tyrell Higgins could plug the hole.

So could freshman Calvin Howell, who impressed coaches before he was sidelined for the majority of the year thanks to a severe concussion prior to the Oklahoma game.

Incoming recruits DeAires Cotton and Ashton Dorsey might provide depth.

Who will the line be blocking for when Gilbert hands off to a running back?

Tre Newton returns and should only get better with another year under his belt.

The big debate will be about Chris Whaley, the 6-foot-3-inch, 235-pound tailback who redshirted this past season after arriving on campus out of shape.

He's since worked off the weight and impressed coaches throughout the season at practice.

Offensive coordinator Greg Davis said he expects Whaley to compete for playing time next year with Newton, Cody Johnson, Fozzy Whittaker and Vondrell McGee.

And the Longhorns know they'll have to run the ball when they hit the middle of their schedule, which includes a three-week stretch of UCLA at home, Oklahoma in Dallas and Nebraska in Lincoln.

The bottom line for the Longhorns is no matter where you look, there are question marks. But there are also answers.

Muckelroy is a big loss, but Keenan Robinson, Jared Norton and Dustin Earnest are quality linebackers.

Thomas would have been the favorite to win the Thorpe Award, but the Longhorns have Christian Scott and Nolan Brewster waiting in the wings.

Texas is expected to be one of the favorites to win the Big 12 again and probably will begin the season ranked in the top 10.

Whether it stays there depends on whether the new players catch on.

And if the receivers continue to catch the ball.