'We Have 30 To 40 Leaders': Texas Longhorns Steve Sarkisian Talks Difference From 2022 Roster

Steve Sarkisian might be playing Washington a second time in two seasons, but the version of the Texas Longhorns is drastically different.

Steve Sarkisian is done talking about what could happen Monday night at Ceaser's Superdome in New Orleans when the Texas Longhorns take the field. 

He's ready to let the players answer the questions and silence the doubters. 

Sarkisian met with the media one more time prior to Monday's College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl against No. 2 Washington. With a win, the No. 3 Longhorns would secure a spot in the national championship for the first time since 2009.

Texas Longhorns take the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington  / Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

The Longhorns, on paper, have had a month to prepare for Michael Penx Jr. and the nation's No. 1 passing attack, but in retrospect, the matchup has been on the player's minds for over a year. Monday marks a rematch from last year's Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, where the Huskies secured an 11-win season with a 27-20 victory. 

Sarkisian said the team relied heavily on its veterans like Bijan Robinson, DeMarvion Overshown and Roschon Johnson for leadership last season. This year, the Longhorns have too many leaders to count. 

"We don't have 115 guys looking at three to lead them," said Sarkisian. "I feel like we've got 30 to 40 true leaders on this team now that's kind of spread throughout. And guys are holding each other accountable on a much different level than we were a year ago at this time."

Veteran leadership paved the way to a 12-1 season in Austin. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is a year old and wise under center. Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington are entering their third seasons as starters. Ja'Tavion Sanders is a two-year difference-maker in the trenches. 

Defensively, it's much of the same. Breakout campaigns from T'Vondre Sweat, Byron Murphy, and Jerrin Thompson set the tone for young players like Ethan Burke and Anthony Hill to follow. It also led to a top-five finish in run defense for the Horns. 

"I told them going into the season, they didn't just buy into what we were talking about, they elevated it," said Sarkisian. 

Texas will be tasked with stopping the Heisman runner-up in Penix and a cast of pass-catchers set to play on Sundays in the future. Kalen DeBoer's up-tempo offense keeps teams highly attentive to defend the run, which often leads to first-down gains through the air. 

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Sarkisian won't downplay the dangers Washington's passing attack brings but made sure to mention their physicality. Running back Dillon Johnson rushed for over 1,100 yards and 14 TDs on the year. Penix also scored three touchdowns inside the red zone. 

"This is a physical team," said Sarkisian. "And so I think the level of physicality in which we play the game is important in this ball game."