With the kickoff of the Texas football season less than a week away, Longhorn fans will get their first look at a completely different Texas roster. However, one similarity from last season that stood out is the team’s strength under head coach Steve Sarkisian and the importance of team leadership.
“Our culture is their culture,” Sarkisian said about players in their fourth year playing for Texas. “You know, it’s not something that we’re trying to instill in them. That’s just who they are.”
With the departure of several key players such as Byron Murphy II, T’Vondre Sweat, Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and more to the NFL, Texas not only lost numerous physical powerhouses, but powerhouses in leadership as well.
Sarkisian made it apparent in his press conference Monday that many new voices have spoken up and are becoming figureheads for Texas football. Junior safety Michael Taaffe, senior edge Barryn Sorrell, senior defensive lineman Alfred Collins, senior defensive back Jahdae Barron, senior offensive lineman Jake Majors, junior offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr., senior offensive lineman Hayden Conner and junior running back Jaydon Blue were all names tossed around by the coach.
On top of these standout players, another notable leader who has not only grown into his role at Texas, but clearly embodies the Texas culture, is three-year starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. While Ewers was always an exceptional player, senior linebacker David Gbenda revealed that his quarterback has blossomed into an established leader for the Longhorns.
“When he first got here, I was like ‘Who is this guy?’” Gbenda said. “He’s got the swagger, got the mullet. He’s throwing the ball, he’s just launching it, but to see him just grow as a person, as a man, it’s been pretty exceptional.”
There is no doubt that Sarkisian came to Texas and made an impact by creating a winning culture. He created an atmosphere that hasn’t been seen in DKR in over a decade, after winning the conference championship last year for the first time since 2009 and making it to the playoffs for the first time since the College Football Playoff was added in 2014.
Sarkisian’s drive to win and succeed has been instilled in all his players. It’s a trait that can set the foundation for a successful season despite having a fresh new lineup.
Gbenda said it’s “his want to and obsession of getting to that national championship,” that Sarkisian ingrains in his players. “(Last season, we had) a bunch of older guys who knew what it took, we were very close, but we couldn’t quite reach the mark and we have a bunch of young bulls that are hungry, they’re excited and they’re ready to be a part of what Texas football has become and what it’s going to be.”
