Steve Sarkisian turns focus to critical 2022 Texas recruiting class
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Armani Winfield had seen enough.
The top-100 wide receiver from Lewisville had spoken with new Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian before Sarkisian completed his career as the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the national championship game.
After Heisman-winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith racked up 12 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, Winfield called Texas wide receivers coach Andre Coleman at halftime to give his commitment to the Longhorns.
Winfield’s pledge was the first of the Sarkisian era and marked the first sign of momentum in the 2022 class since the decommitment of Southlake Carroll quarterback Quinn Ewers, the nation’s top prospect, stymied forward progress back in October.
Elite 2022 RB Jaydon Blue commits to Texas
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@JaydonBlue
The 2021 class isn’t finalized yet, but the Texas Longhorns picked up a huge piece in the 2022 class as running back Jaydon Blue announced his commitment via Twitter on Tuesday.
I could be anywhere in the country the next 3-4 years playing college football and pursuing a degree in engineering. Today I would like to announce that I will be committing to the University of Texas
The 5’11, 205-pound back from Klein Cain is the No. 60 player in the country and the No. 11 player in the state of Texas, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Blue boasts 35 offers, with a list featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Texas A&M Aggies, the USC Trojans, and the Oklahoma Sooners all among his top schools.
As mentioned, Sark is currently in pursuit of putting together a championship-caliber support staff at Texas, something Herman failed to do with his initial hires and staff overhaul at the end of the 2019 season. Most roles have been finalized, but there are still a few key positions that have yet to be filled, including defensive coordinator.
The staff as it stands right now, with updates as they occur .
JANUARY 26 11:45 AM UPDATE: Vanderbilt s Jason Grooms, who had been with the program since 2014, has been lured away from Nashville by Steve Sarkisian to become the Longhorns new chief of staff of football operations.
Longhorns Coaching Tracker: Ex OL Coach Heading to Conference USA? si.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from si.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
How Steve Sarkisian put together the jigsaw puzzle of his first Texas coaching staff
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Death, taxes, and coaching turnover.
As the early continuity in the Tom Herman era dissolved with seven new assistant coaches last season, some Texas players will be on their third position coach in as many seasons.
So it’s difficult to understate the importance of new Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian getting his initial hires right. In fact, as much as recruiting and development will define his tenure on the Forty Acres, the ability of Sarkisian to get his initial coaching staff right may ultimately determine whether he succeeds or fails as the head coach of the Longhorns. After all, it’s those coaches who will bear a large responsibility for evaluations during the recruiting process and improvement once those players get on campus.