Looking into the second year for Steve Sarkisian and what could make year three as successful as possible. Texas has a good amount of the 2023 guys locked up. In a NIL world and Covid possibilities for year five returns. As well as being just that good to leave early. Steve Sarkisian’s toughest recruiting battle may be between one more year at Texas and the NFL. With no one drafted in 2022 and doubts surrounding some players for next year’s draft. What could a return mean for Texas, the roster, and the future vision? The standard has been set but does another year from key leaders accelerate Steve Sarkisian’s success at Texas and the speed of success in the SEC? A move that’s expected in 2025, but could happen earlier. Greg Sankey has asked Georgia and Tennessee to cancel home and home series with Oklahoma. And the Big 12 is trying to negotiate a new tv deal early with ESPN and Fox.
Steve Sarkisian said Monday after the Red River Showdown “in-house accountability is at an all-time high since he arrived at Texas”. A tweet from CJ Vogel. With that statement, what would Texas look like if all its key leaders and contributors returned for the 2023 season? Recruiting battles between Steve Sarkisian, the transfer portal, and the NFL will be something to watch this offseason.
Offensive Recruiting Battles
Offensively for Texas, they will have some key leaders that could either transfer or go to the NFL. These players have been important to the culture of the team and helping Texas stay afloat to a 4-2 record while Quinn Ewers was injured for a month.
Quarterback
At quarterback, probably only two players could be leaving the team. Hudson Card and walk-on Ben Ballard could be leaving for different reasons. Ben Ballard is a senior, but most likely won’t take advantage of the Covid year. On the other hand, Hudson Card has proved key to Texas having a chance to reach its goals this year. With Quinn Ewers and Maalik Murphy injured in the early part of the season. Steve Sarkisian will know it’s important to keep Hudson Card and have 4 scholarship quarterbacks next year. With Arch Manning wanting to redshirt and Maalik Murphy being hurt two of his last three seasons playing dating back to high school. Hudson Card could be key again in 2023.
Running Back
The toughest recruiting battle of them all. If Steve Sarkisian could convince one if not both Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson to return next year. The way the NFL views running backs and blows to the body. It’ll be tough trying to get these guys back. Keilan Robinson is also draft eligible and his development in the passing game has been huge for Texas this season. The undoubtable leaders of this team can return. But getting them back for one more go-round all while keeping Jaydon Blue, Jonathon Brooks, Tre Wisner, and Cedric Baxter on board and engaged. Will not only be Steve Sarkisian’s toughest recruiting battle, but fighting for his best so far at Texas with landing Arch Manning.
Wide Receiver
With Isaiah Neyor getting injured in the preseason, the only wide receiver that may need to be convinced to stay is Jordan Whittington. The 2023 receiver class for Texas is talented and for Steve Sarkisian, very fast. As a junior and two seasons of eligibility still left. Jordan Whittington has put on muscle and has been able to stay on the field in 2022. He’s the second leading receiver for Texas and could be looking toward the NFL with a huge and healthy season. It’ll be tough recruiting Jordan Whittington back, but his return with Isaiah Neyor and a second year with Quinn Ewers would make Texas one of the most dangerous offenses in the country in 2023.
Tight End
Before being suspended by the NCAA for the first six games. Jahleel Billingsley had his eye on the NFL. With three tight ends finding their role in the offense while he was out. Steve Sarkisian could try to get a full year out of two NFL level talents at tight end. Brayden Liebrock is also a guy who could choose to come back for a fifth season. But should be expected to move on with two tight ends coming in 2023 and Texas going heavily after the number one tight end recruit, Duce Robinson.
Offensive Line
Junior Angilau is the offensive lineman eligible to leave that could be back after suffering a season-ending injury in the preseason. He may be given a medical hardship and be an anchor for the interior line. Ideally, Steve Sarkisian and Kyle Flood want a bigger center. But with the development of the best offensive line class in 2022 and Jake Majors’ development in year two with Kyle Flood. Does a guy who some consider worth a win in leadership come back to compete with Jake Majors again this offseason?
Defensive Recruiting Battles
Some defensive players finally having a second year in a system has worked wonders for their NFL draft chances. If some of the leaders come back, the recruiting pedigree of the defense just may reach that of the offense.
Defensive Line
With some young guys coming in the 2023 recruiting class. Steve Sarkisian holding off the NFL from taking T’Vondre Sweat and Alfred Collins to help continue making this defensive line the team’s anchor defensively. Other key contributors are either fifth-year players or not eligible. Getting these two back for another rotation and being a voice of the room could do wonders for the team’s patience in development. The Edge players returning are young, but gaining valuable experience. After losing out on David Hicks, getting these two back could buy another year to get a big time big body in for the move to the SEC alongside Sydir Mitchell.
Linebacker
David Gbenda hasn’t been super productive in 2022 but is likely to come back to be in a starting role. But getting the current leader of the Big 12 in tackles back to one of the thinnest spots on the team would be program changing for Texas in 2023. Jaylan Ford with Demarvion Overshown has been part of the driving force for a defense that has given up 17.8 points per game. A two touchdown drop from 2021. A tough recruiting battle for Steve Sarkisian and Pete Kwiatkowski. But it could keep this defense operating at a high level.
Defensive Back
With two five-star players in Malik Muhammad and Derek Williams coming in 2023. Starting with Ryan Watts, the boundary corner for Texas has been a huge addition from Ohio State. Having him back to deal with the big receivers would be a huge difference for Texas having its tallest corner in 2022 on board for another year.
After becoming a revelation late in 2021, getting Jahdae Barron back for 2023 in a spread offense conference would give Texas one more depth piece to play with next season. Jaylon Guilbeau has been a good slot corner behind Jahdae Barron. Having both of these guys deal with any four wide receiver sets is an advantage most secondaries don’t have.
On the back end at safety, Kitan Crawford being back to give continuity and not have two new starters at safety. Ryan Watts, Jahdae Barron, and Kitan Crawford are all juniors and could be back for two years.
Conclusion
Obviously, all these players aren’t coming back next year. Which is why it will be Steve Sarkisian’s toughest recruiting battle this offseason. However, with the culture changing, these vocal leaders, as well as productive players having more eligibility. The thought of what could be while watching what is a potentially special season. In a world where all these players return to Texas and the team continues to be healthy, Texas probably makes its first College Football Playoff appearance.
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