Several Longhorns Veterans Impress Steve Sarkisian In Saturday Scrimmage

Steve Sarkisian highlighted five veteran players who took proper steps forward in their development during Saturday's scrimmage.

Who will be the leaders for Texas football in 2023? Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian might have given a sneak peak at which players are stepping up into more vocal roles for the impending year. 

Sarkisian used Saturday's scrimmage as a chance to see where the Longhorns need to improve before their Week 1 matchup against Rice. Along the way, he also was able to get a glimpse at which veterans have acted more so as extra coaches on the field and in the huddle. 

"A lot of those guys, they’re going into year three," Sarkisian said during his press conference Tuesday. "They’ve been with us from the beginning. So they're very comfortable with the things that they know are important to us as a staff, and they've learned now why it's important.”

The third-year coach said that receiver Jordan Whittington, tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, defensive lineman Byron Murphy II, edge rusher Barryn Sorrell and defensive back Jerrin Thompson had all taken steps forward in terms of setting the tone in practice. Sanders and Whittington were two key factors in the passing game last season for quarterback Quinn Ewers. Thompson and Sorrell expanded their duties from roleplayers to full-time starters at safety and pass-rusher, respectively. 

Last season, Thompson finished third in tackles with 82 stops and recorded seven pass deflections. Sorrell, who split reps with Ovie Oghoufo and Moro Ojomo, led the Longhorns in both sacks (5.5) and finished fourth in tackles for loss (9.0). 

"They can kind of be that conduit between a younger player and ourselves,” Sarkisian said. “And a lot of times, that carries more weight coming from a player than it does coming from a coach, so the more of those guys that can support that message, I think the more impactful it is on our team.”

Just because the five Longhorns stood out Saturday doesn't mean they'll be the captains in 2023. Ewers still could prove he's the best man for the job under center and garner praise from teammates as the offense's leader. Linebacker Jaylan Ford and defensive lineman Alfred Collins were crucial components on an improved defense from a season ago and already have meaningful reps under their belt.

Leadership should carry the program deeper into conference play compared to last season. Youthful depth potentially could transform the Longhorns from a Big 12 contender into a College Football Playoff sleeper. It's why Sarkisian also emphasized watching the younger players in Saturday's spring matchup to where they stand entering the Orange-White game on April 15. 

A team is only as strong as its weakest link. Sarkisian is looking to ensure that starters perform like All-Americans while depth pieces have the mentality of being starters. 

"Spring ball is obviously a unique time of year where there’s no game,” Sarkisian said. “We have our spring game, but there’s no real opponent at the end of it. Everybody’s got to be really intentional in their approach to what they need to do for themselves to continue to raise their level of play in whatever that looks like.”

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