ATLANTA, Ga. – Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is making notable adjustments to his recruiting approach as he enters his third year on the job. He is focusing not only on attracting talent but also on pinpointing high school programs that have built a successful track record. His mission is to transform Texas into a championship contender, and to achieve that, he believes it’s vital to surround himself with players accustomed to winning.
“That wasn’t unintentional. As we worked ourselves into this arena, we’d have players used to that stage,” Sarkisian stated at a media event ahead of the Peach Bowl against Arizona State. Over the past two seasons, the Longhorns have competed in two conference championships and two College Football Playoff games.
This coming season poses a unique challenge, with the expanded playoff field allowing for more games. If Texas reaches the national championship game in Atlanta on January 20, they could face the possibility of playing 17 games, much like an NFL regular season, which is longer than traditional college football campaigns.
Sarkisian planned for this extended season by loading his roster with players who have experience in high-stakes situations. Nearly half of the players available for media day have a history of deep playoff runs in Texas high school football, which typically requires teams to win six games to become champions after a 10-game regular season.
Players like Quinn Ewers, Tre Wisner, and Michael Taaffe are just a few who have won championships at their respective high schools and are now aiming for the hardware at the college level. “We know what this time of year means,” said Malik Muhammad, reflecting the experience he gained from winning state titles in high school.
The UIL state championships occur annually at AT&T Stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys. If Texas prevails over Arizona State on January 1, they will battle the winner of Ohio State and Oregon on January 10.
The advantages of playing at high-achieving high school programs go beyond physical skills; they include a culture of success. The Longhorns, boasting a history of mixed results, are on an upswing, improving from 13-12 in Sarkisian’s initial seasons to an impressive 24-4 recently.
“The experience of the high school playoffs definitely helps because a lot of us have played 15 or 16 games in a season,” remarked Andrew Mukuba, embodying the resilient outlook the team shares.
The hard-earned mentality of winning has been carried over from their high school days into their college experience, allowing them to navigate intense competition more effectively. As Quinn Ewers noted, the atmosphere in Texas high school football can mirror that of major college programs, preparing these players for what lies ahead at the university level.
With eyes set on achieving greatness, the Longhorns are ready to harness their experience and talent in pursuit of the championship trophy this season.
