Steve Sarkisian Hails 2024 Texas Roster: Deepest, Most Talented Team We’ve Had Here

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJuly 17, 2024

Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian believes his team is more than built to handle life in the SEC.

During the conference’s media day, Sarkisian cited the importance of having depth across multiple positions to compete in the SEC. He said Texas checks that box and boasts “the deepest team we’ve had, probably the most talented team we’ve had in my four years here.”

Coleman Young @cole98youngTexas #Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian speaks about his 2024 rosters.

Calls this years team the “deepest” and “most talented” since he arrived in Austin.@TDTexasMag pic.twitter.com/sNzTUUSx6Q

The Longhorns lost some notable stars to the NFL. The interior defensive line tandem of Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat are gone, as are leading rusher Jonathon Brooks and Texas’ top four players in receiving yards (Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jordan Whittington).

For as much talent went out the door, starting quarterback Quinn Ewers is back after throwing for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns to six interceptions. Running back CJ Baxter had 659 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a true freshman. On defense, four of the top five tacklers return: Anthony Hill Jr., Jahdae Barron, David Gbenda and Michael Taaffe.

This is where the work of Sarkisian and his staff on the recruiting trail could pay off in a big way. Even with how much the sport has evolved, the old recruiting model remains the best route to assemble the backbone of your squad.

Over the last three seasons, Texas’ classes were fifth, third and sixth in 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Arch Manning is the crown jewel from that span and the highly touted signal-caller decided to remain in Austin despite Ewers sticking around. That’s the kind of luxury schools don’t get to enjoy as much anymore thanks to the transfer portal. Sarkisian credited the Manning family for keeping an eye on the bigger picture.

Anwar Richardson @AnwarRichardsonTexas football coach Steve Sarkisian on Arch Manning pic.twitter.com/JDR88ifZW9

Speaking of the portal, receivers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden, edge-rusher Trey Moore, safety Andrew Mukuba and tight end Amari Niblack are among the headliners to transfer in for the 2024 season.

Sarkisian’s confidence isn’t misguided. The Longhorns are good enough to not only make the College Football Playoff but make a deep run and perhaps make the title game.

Of course, that means Sarkisian will be under a ton of pressure to deliver. Anything short of 10-plus wins and a quarterfinal berth will likely be considered a disappointment.