Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is building versatility, not just depth, at wide receiver
Texas has been more active at wide receiver than any other position in the transfer portal this offseason.
Part of this is due to the fact that second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian had to get the numbers right at the position and build depth after Andre Coleman reeled in only one impact receiver (Brenen Thompson) last cycle.
However, what he’s really built is a Swiss Army Knife of receiving threats that he can use to customize his game plan to fit the opponent. Sarkisian has brought in four transfer portal receivers, all unique in what they bring to the Texas offense.
Isaiah Neyor is a complete receiver with excellent route running, solid speed, and big-play ability. Jahleel Billingsley is a big-bodied pass catcher who could punish smaller defensive backs and/or coast past linebackers.
Agiye Hall is a dynamic speedster with the ability to high-point the ball and make acrobatic catches. Tarique Milton runs a sub-4.4 forty yard dash, and will certainly test nickel corners in the slot.
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell deployed his receivers in diverse ways, sometimes using three tight end sets, other times utilizing receivers such as Milton and Xavier Hutchinson.
Mixing personnel packages is not a new concept, certainly. But Sarkisian now has four highly skilled athletes to add alongside freshman All-American Xavier Worthy, former five-star slot receiver Jordan Whittington, playmaking tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, and a backfield led by Heisman hopeful Bijan Robinson.
Not only can Texas rely on receivers other than Worthy and Whittington now (which is crucial given Whittington’s injury history), but they can more emphatically dictate to the defense with personnel packages.
If Texas opts for four receiver sets, they could draw a matchup between Tarique Milton or Agiye Hall and the opponents’ fourth-best corner. That’s certainly suboptimal for opposing defenses. Sarkisian’s staff could even sub Sanders and Billingsley, making defenses sub in a linebacker, only to see Texas still go with a four-wide formation.
The possibilities are endless with this receiving corps, and Sark should be able to do more of what he wants because of the pieces he’s brought in this offseason.
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