Texas Longhorns Tight End Ja'Tavion Sanders Talks Championship Aspirations

The Texas Longhorns have a trip to the title game on the line but have a talented Washington Huskies team standing in their way.

In what has been an over-a-decade-long quest to return to glory and prominence that this program once experienced seemingly every year, the Texas Longhorns are finally competing for a national title. 

Steve Sarkisian is the third coach that has been brought in following the departure of Mack Brown. However, before his arrival, there were embarrassing losses, a handful of wasted classes, and a slew of major disappointments. All of that is in the past now, as in year three of the Sarkisian era, the program is trending in the right direction with a College Football Playoff appearance taking place on Monday.  

One of the key reasons they are doing so is their high-powered offense, which is in part anchored by tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. The former five-star spoke to the media ahead of Texas'  Sugar Bowl meeting against Washington, and addressed a couple of different things. One of which was playing in such a dynamic offense.

"It’s a great feeling because Coach Sark[isian] says all the time that we can win any type of way," said Sanders. "We’re a versatile team whether it’s offense or defense, special teams, running game, or passing game. All of us know that too and all of us know that we’re playmakers. We do this for each other. We don’t get jealous. If one person’s number gets called and mine doesn’t, I know they’ll make their plays and the way they play is fine by me. It’s a great feeling knowing that we have all these weapons and that we’re so close as brothers. We’re family and it’s a great feeling."

Ja'Tavion Sanders Celebrates after Big 12 title  / © Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY

Sanders was also asked what it would mean to appear in the title game for him and this team, which has essentially revived what was a down program.

"It would be a great feeling, not only for me, but our seniors. Sending them off with a National Championship would be a great feeling. It would be something legendary in Austin being able to bring that back to Austin since I was maybe two years old. Being able to do that and bringing that back to the city would be an amazing feeling."

Sanders doesn't quite have the numbers he had a year ago, but he has made some huge catches this season. He has racked up 39 catches for 607 yards, and two touchdowns. He along with Texas' elite receivers will have plenty of opportunity to take advantage of what is a weak Washington secondary, that ranks No. 119 in the country in passing yards allowed.

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ESPN has the Longhorns as four-point favorites, with the matchup predictor giving Texas a 68.4% chance of winning. 

A title appearance for Texas would mark their first since 2009 when they lost to Alabama following an early injury to quarterback Colt McCoy.