Steve Sarkisian delivers rave review on talent at tight end position

After a 5-7 record in Steve Sarkisian’s first season in Austin, better results are expected in Year 2. With talent at multiple spots in the lineup, one of their more overlooked positions groups is tight end.

Sarkisian doubled-down on their importance, saying they’re one of the most important positions in the Longhorn’s offense.

“In our offense, tight end is probably the second most important position because of all that we ask them to do,” said Sarkisian during Texas’ spring practices. “From formations to motions, to the run game, to the pass game, route running, pass protections. There’s a lot we put on those guy’s plates.”

Senior tight end Cade Brewer held down that spot last season. He finished with 22 catches, 184 yards and three touchdowns before signing with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. Now, Sarkisian has his focus on On3’s Top 2021 tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, Alabama transfer Jahleel Billingsly, and sophomore Gunnar Helm.

After watching them last season, Sarkisian says both Sanders and Helm have made big strides to become contributors this season.

“I give JT and Gunnar a lot of credit for putting in the work last year. I know they weren’t every week players for us offensively, but they worked at their craft,” said Sarkisian. “Neither of them were comfortable doing things like blocking defensive ends or in the c-area or pulling on the counter. They worked at their craft, came back to spring ball, and it now looks like two completely different players.”

Sarkisian continued to put the focus on Sanders. Although he appeared in all 12 games last season, he primarily played special teams with the field goal units. With his improvement and the spot vacant, Sarkisian says Sanders is on a mission to prove any doubters of his wrong.

“I think (Ja’Tavion) is a really cool example of a kid who was a five-star recruit coming to the University of Texas and, in this day and age, it’s like if this guy doesn’t play as a true freshman then what’s wrong? Something is wrong with him,” he said. “He’s had a really good spring for us. He has really evolved as a player. I think he’s a much more confident and comfortable blocker. He is definitely a weapon in (our) passing game.”

While he still placed quarterback as the most important, Sarkisian showed his tight ends a lot of love this spring. All three appear as though they’ll be major components of his offense heading into the Longhorn’s opener against UL Monroe on September 3rd.