Everything Steve Sarkisian said to the media ahead of Texas’ season opener
The Texas Longhorns open the season on Saturday against the Rice Owls, and while there aren’t too many question marks surrounding the 2023 team there are still a couple of unknowns.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of Texas’ Week 1 meeting and addressed various topics. Sarkisian touched on the backup quarterback battle, how much freshmen would play in the first game, and even a new starter was announced.
For those of you who were unable to see all of the nuggets the head coach dropped, here is everything Steve Sarkisian said ahead of Texas’ first game of the season.
Steve Sarkisian was asked if one of Maalik Murphy or Arch Manning separated themselves as the No. 2 quarterback.
"We'll find out."
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) August 31, 2023
Sark just referenced Liona Lefau as being in the same breath as Anthony Hill, Malik Muhammad, CJ Baxter when it comes to true freshmen playing early against Rice.
— Geoff Ketchum (@gkketch) August 31, 2023
Steve Sarkisian: "At a lot of the positions, we're going to roll a pretty fair amount of our two-deep because we have to from a weather standpoint. It's going to be in triple digits Saturday."
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) August 31, 2023
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said DJ Campbell will start at RG against Rice
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) August 31, 2023
Steve Sarkisian on Jahdae Barron: "I think Jahdae, first of all, has a really, really high football IQ. He just feels things very naturally as they happen on the fly. He's got a lot of confidence, and when you combine those two he trusts himself to go make plays."
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) August 31, 2023
Steve Sarkisian: "Ultimately, we're going to learn a lot about our team on Saturday on who's in the right mental space and who's in the right physical space to perform.
I think we have an understanding of some of the veterans but there's a lot to be learned about for some of…
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) August 31, 2023
Full quote from Steve Sarkisian on the work his player personnel staff led by Billy Glasscock has done since arriving in assembling the current 2023 roster: pic.twitter.com/DjFlX3hr7q
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) August 31, 2023
Sarkisian on Xavier Worthy: “I really see this guy enjoying being a Texas Longhorn.”
Says he’s been very proud of his development and commitment to building a strong rapport with Quinn Ewers this offseason.
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) August 31, 2023
As far as a depth chart, Sarkisian says it will be available ahead of game time Saturday.
I would not expect anything before then.
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) August 31, 2023