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There are times when Texas Longhorn observers spend more time pointing out the challenges associated with this program as opposed to the positives.
It is easy to discuss how Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian struggled in year one. There were enough lowlights in 2021 to make a bald man pull out stubble with tweezers due to his frustrations. Because you had to endure that pain, I will not rehash every disappointing moment from Sarkisian’s inaugural season at Texas. I know it was bad. You know it was bad. Your partner knows it. Your pets know it. So does your liver.
However, out of fairness, we need to discuss what has occurred since the season finale against Kansas State on November 26. Sarkisian cannot erase the on-the-field results, but the past 58 days have been more impressive than any other point during his tenure at Texas. Simply put, Sarkisian has been kicking ass and taking names. Sarkisian has killed it in high school recruiting. He picked up arguably the transfer portal’s top receiver. Sarkisian acquired one of the best quarterbacks available in the transfer portal. In addition, Sarkisian has upgraded his staff within the past two months. It is hard not to be impressed with Sarkisian’s accomplishments.
Sarkisian’s offseason has been impressive.
No, I am not giving you permission to dream big.
Now is not the time to sell your home and bet the proceeds on Texas winning it all in 2022.
Do not look up the prices of Arlington hotel rooms in December.
I intend to give Sarkisian the props he deserves due to his success this offseason. Nevertheless, I am still the person who said this in the previous Pulpit:
“Clearly, every Longhorn observer hopes Sarkisian can master recruiting and coaching. We know Sarkisian is an elite recruiter. Texas fans must hope Sarkisian evolves into an elite talent developer during this program’s remaining years in the Big 12 before the SEC.
“Sarkisian’s next task is developing talent.”
I have not budged from that stance.
Yet, covering the Longhorn football team is like being in a dysfunctional relationship. It becomes easy to point out everything somebody did wrong. Even when they try to improve, all it takes is one hiccup to ignore those efforts and focus on the misstep.
Was the criticism of Sarkisian in year one warranted?
Absolutely.
Is important to keep that same energy when Sarkisian is doing an outstanding job?
Absolutely.
Let us take a look at Sarkisian’s wins this offseason.
12/12/21 – Quinn Ewers commits to Texas
Sarkisian made it clear throughout last season that he wanted better production from the quarterback position. Hudson Card won the job and lost it after struggling against Arkansas in week two. Casey Thompson took over, and if you include the Alamo Bowl, Thompson guided Texas to 24 scores on 27 drives, including 22 touchdowns (12 passing and 10 rushing), before injuries and inconsistency hurt his performance. Sarkisian made it clear he intended to have an open competition in 2022, and that point was hammered home after Quinn Ewers decided to become a Longhorn.
Here is a portion of an analysis by @Ketchum after Ewers committed: “One thing is certain, Ewers might be the most accurate quarterback in the short and intermediate areas of the field that I've ever seen. Time after time after time, when he drops back to throw a football, he puts the ball right on the money. In terms of arm strength, he probably showcases it best when he's throwing to the sidelines from the opposite hash mark. At times he can make the toughest throws on the field look very easy. In a world where you have minor concerns about a five-star prospect, mine probably center around his ability to throw the ball consistently well when in a loud pocket or when pressure is coming directly in his face. For much of his high school career, he was able to throw the ball with very little disruption to his mechanics and footwork, which means that he just played pitch and catch with his receivers. How he's able to handle pressure at the next level is ultimately the thing that will define his career as a quarterback. If that comes through, he has the skill level to play on Sundays down the road.”
12/15/21 – Top Five Recruiting Class
Texas had only two commitments from the 2021 class give pledges between September and October (DE Justice Finkley and WR Brenen Thompson). It was unclear if Texas would finish with a top 10 class. As the losses started piling up, many Longhorn observers wondered if this recruiting class would become a major disappointment.
Instead, 10 players committed to Texas, beginning in late November, including 5-star offensive lineman Kelvin Banks. Considering the five-win season Sarkisian was working against, he successfully sold his vision when it mattered the most. Texas did not obtain every player it coveted, but Sarkisian loaded up on talent against the odds.
12/18/2021 – Tashard Choice
Stan Drayton was a highly respected running back coach who successfully recruited Keontay Ingram, Bijan Robinson and Jonathon Brooks, but one of his biggest victories was converting Roschon Johnson into a runner. Drayton always had the attention of elite recruits, even if they eventually went elsewhere. When Drayton was named Temple’s head coach, Sarkisian faced the task of replacing a good assistant coach.
Sarkisian stole former NFL running back Tashard Choice away from USC and replaced Drayton. Choice was a running backs coach at Georgia Tech for three seasons. According to his bio, “Choice coached a freshman All-American (Jahmyr Gibbs – 2020) and two ACC all-conference honorees (Gibbs – 2020 & 2021; Jordan Mason – 2019). In his role as offensive recruiting coordinator, he was instrumental in putting together consecutive highly-ranked recruiting classes, including only the second top-25 class in Yellow Jackets history in 2020.” Choice could evolve into an upgrade. For now, Sarkisian did not take a step backward and hired a young coach with a high upside.
12/23/21 – Ryan Watts
When Watts entered the transfer portal in early December, Texas did not waste any time reaching out. Texas defensive backs coach Terry Joseph and Sarkisian told Watts he would have a chance to immediately compete for playing time with the departure of Darion Dunn and Josh Thompson. Nearly two weeks later, Watts was a Longhorn.
@Cole Patterson said, “On the field, there is not much to not like about what Watts brings to the table. Watts is a 6-3 and 186-pound defensive back with a great frame and length, giving him elite size to matchup with big receivers on the outside. He showcased the ability to man-up on receivers as well be physical in run support on the high school and the collegiate level. Watts has versatility in the sense that he can play multiple roles in the secondary if needed. He even played some receiver at Little Elm, which allowed him to show off his ball skills on both sides of the ball. Watt's physical profile -- he ran a 4.59 40 and recorded a 38-inch vertical jump in high school -- gives him a lot of upside to work with.”
12/31/21 – Brennan Marion
Sarkisian decided to part ways with Andre Coleman and it made sense. Texas struggled to win elite recruits during Coleman’s tenure. Longhorn receivers struggled with dropped passes throughout last season. Texas struggled to find a receiver not named Xavier Worthy to consistently step up as a pass-catcher after a preseason injury to Troy Omeire and Jordan Whittington’s regular season injury. Sarkisian’s decision seemed inevitable – and the right move.
Once again, Sarkisian looked for the best and brightest, and that is when he found Marion. According to Marion’s bio, “In 2021, Marion was a part of a Pitt staff that directed one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. Serving as wide receivers coach for an offense that ranked among the nation’s top eight in scoring (41.4 ppg/4th), total offense (486.6 ypg/8th) and passing offense (337.4 ypg/8th), he helped lead the Panthers to an 11-3 record, their first-ever ACC Championship, a No. 12 final regular-season ranking and a berth in the New Year’s Six Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Marion’s prize pupil at Pitt was wide receiver Jordan Addison, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver, and was a consensus first-team All-American selection in 2021.”
The hiring of Marion paid off this past week.
1/19/22 – Jahleel Billingsly
Sarkisian praised the development of Gunnar Helm, Juan Davis, and Ja’Tavion Sanders last year. It appeared the battle for playing time at tight end would take place among those players in 2022, especially after the departure of Jared Wiley. However, when Billingsly entered the transfer, tight ends coach Jeff Banks and Sarkisian successfully convinced their former player to rejoin them in Austin.
@Alex Dunlap said, “So, in Billingsley, we see a player who -- more than any on the roster -- was utilized by Sarkisian in regard to alignment in virtually the same way as Cade Brewer was last season. Not a player he favored in inline situations, but certainly as an H-back, sniffer and lead-blocking type in the run game who can get out into routes and make plays as a receiver if need be, and who you like to split out wide 20-25% of the time. Now, remember, Billingsley has not shown that he's a good perimeter blocker yet while split out, so the fans saying he's going to step into a receiver role, possibly taking over for Texas' best stalk-blocking option in Marcus Washington, are off-base. Billingsley is a TE and one that looks to have the talent to help immediately.”
1/20/21 – Isaiah Neyor
The recruitment of Neyor is the best example of Sarkisian’s persistence. After the former Wyoming receiver entered the transfer portal, Texas and Tennessee emerged as Neyor’s top choices. Neyor eventually committed to Tennessee and most Longhorn observers turned the page.
Marion did not.
He continued to recruit Neyor and eventually convinced the receiver to visit the 40 Acres this past week. It did not take long before Neyor flipped his commitment and signed with Texas. Texas obtained one of the best receivers in the transfer portal. In addition, Xavier Worthy and Neyor could emerge into one of the nation’s top 1-2 receiving threats this season.
1/21/22 – Gary Patterson
Sarkisian said he would devote more attention to the defense this year. Texas struggled on offense at times last season, but this defense struggled against nearly every opponent. Giving up 57 points at home against you know who was embarrassing. Sarkisian worked hard to add elite defensive linemen in the 2022 class. However, Sarkisian wanted to get the most out of that talent.
As a result, the official hiring of Patterson was announced this past Friday.
Two weeks ago, Jason Suchomel and I were told Patterson was in Austin working. In fact, I was told Patterson was the first person inside the door. Patterson will provide the oversight necessary to improve this defense in 2022. He is also an outstanding backup plan if this defense struggles again.
Now is not the time to sell your home and bet the proceeds on Texas winning it all in 2022.
Do not look up the prices of Arlington hotel rooms in December.
Nevertheless, Sarkisian deserves props for an impressive start to the offseason.
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
Future soccer player
Once again, the narration is great
RIP Louie Anderson
Sports On A Dime
1. Jerry Kill. Who? Former TCU football coach Gary Patterson hired Kill as a Special Assistant to the Head Coach in Charge of Offense in February 2020. He was the head coach at Minnesota from 2011 to 2015. Before Minnesota, Kill was the head coach at Southern Illinois from 2001 and 2007. When Patterson parted ways with TCU last season, TCU could have elevated any assistant coach on staff. Instead, Kill became the interim football coach. Patterson was officially named Special Assistant to the Head Coach on Friday. He might be a defensive coordinator in waiting if Pete Kwiatkowski’s unit struggles again this season. Patterson could be the head coach in waiting if Sarkisian does not have Texas competing for a Big 12 title in a few years. If players being forced to look over their shoulders is a good thing, having Patterson on staff could help this staff.
2. Texas receivers coach Brennan Marion answered the only question some Longhorn observers had after he was hired. Everyone knew Marion was a great coach. He was credited with inventing the "Go-Go" offense. Marion also coached Jordan Addison, who won the Biletnikoff Award last season. The only question was could Marion recruit on an elite level at Texas. Marion was officially hired on December 31 and may not have received his first check from UT, but to steal Ketch’s line from our recent YouTube video, he earned his salary for the year with the commitment of Wyoming receiver Isaiah Neyor. Marion is already an instant upgrade at that position. Marion’s social media activity and recruiting success has made him a name to watch going forward.
3. One aspect of Marion’s success that cannot be ignored was obtaining a receiver from Margin Hooks, owner, and operator of Sky’s The Limit Elite Training. Hooks has trained many of the elite receivers in Texas, including Marvin Mims, Evan Stewart, Armani Winfield, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Charleston Rambo, Johntay Cook II, Kyle Parker, Ashton Cozart, and Neyor. Having a good relationship with Hooks is crucial to obtaining his pipeline of receivers. Marion seemingly figured out the recruiting landscape in Texas within a few weeks and set up the Longhorns for future recruiting success at that position.
4. Here is a great story about Ron Franklin for those who are familiar with his work. Here is the lede by Brian Davis:
“Ron Franklin, blessed with a thunderous baritone voice, always greeted his listeners with a commanding presence. No matter the sport, be it football, basketball or even tennis, if Franklin was on the microphone, it felt big.
“Starting out in faraway places like Roswell, N.M., and Tulsa, Okla., Franklin would find his way to Houston television and eventually Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin.
“The voice was just so unique and was so fair about his broadcasts,” former Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Wednesday. “He was one of the best, I thought.”
“Franklin’s time as the Texas football and basketball play-by-play announcer from 1983-88 was unique in UT history. The teams may have struggled, but the broadcasts sure didn’t.
“Franklin died Tuesday in Austin due to what doctors termed COVID-19 related pneumonia, his wife Bonnie told the American-Statesman on Wednesday. He was 79.”
5. Ethan Burke has the potential to emerge into a standout college football player. Give Burke a few years in the weight room and he will shine at the next level. I love his quickness, footwork, and ability to get off blocks. I am buying stock in Burke now and will patiently wait for a return on that investment.
6. Sarkisian’s next challenge is convincing Arch Manning to revisit Austin this spring. Manning visited Texas twice last year. Manning will begin to play visits after his basketball season concludes. Sarkisian faces an uphill battle against programs that are competing for national championships, but I will not underestimate him in the recruiting department.
7. In case you missed it
8. If you have ever parked on UT’s campus, your car has probably been ticketed multiple times by those overzealous meter maids. Keondre, we feel your pain.
9. I am not a huge believer in Matthew Stafford. However, I am a fan of this Rams defense led by Raheem Morris. Give me the Rams against the Bucs. I will take Kansas City against Buffalo.
(bad language alert)
10. The Super Bowl halftime show will feature Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. Dr. Dre’s debut solo album (The Chronic) was released in 1992. The edgy music we once listened to is now soft enough to perform at halftime of the Super Bowl. Yes, we are officially getting old.
This is just for fun
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