Steve Sarkisian: Development of offensive playmakers is key
The biggest storyline in Texas preseason camp has been the quarterback competition. Hudson Card and Casey Thompson have been battling to become the Longhorns’ starting quarterback. No matter who ultimately starts, it is important to have weapons surrounding them on offense. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is comfortable how many playmakers have come along so far.
Sarkisian: Multiple playmakers have emerged on Texas’ offense
Texas has had a few wide receivers step up during camp. Josh Moore is one of them for Sarkisian. In his career, Moore has 37 receptions, 525 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games. Jordan Whittington and Marcus Washington only have five career receptions between them, but they have also emerged. Xavier Worthy, a true freshman, has brought a different element to the team.
“I would say one guy who’s really kind of jumped up and has really started to play well throughout camp and had a really good scrimmage was Josh Moore,” Sarkisian said when asked which playmakers have emerged for Texas. “He’s got the explosiveness, he has range, he has play-making ability. He has been a real bright spot. We have a true freshman in Xavier Worthy who has come in and provided a real explosive nature to the offense which is critical to what we do. Jordan Whittington is another guy who is a very savvy player for us. And then the fourth guy is probably Marcus Washington, who has explosive play-making ability.”
Having weapons for whoever emerges at quarterback will be vital
Sarkisian does not currently have a timeline on when Texas will name a starting quarterback. Card and Thompson have been splitting first-team reps throughout the preseason. When a starter is announced, it will be important for other playmakers on offense to help ease the transition.
That has already been something that Sarkisian has seen from his emerging playmakers at Texas. Ultimately, the only thing left to do is make plays in an actual game, which is hard to prepare for.
“That’s the key to the drill for us,” Sarkisian said. “It’s one thing to know what to do and how to do it. It’s another to know why we’re doing it and then taking advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves. So, those guys have really started to emerge and now it’s just a matter of the consistency in game. We’re only going to find out once we start playing games here next week.”
Texas begins their season with a home matchup against Louisiana on Saturday, September 4th. Sarkisian is hoping that playmakers continue to emerge in his first season as Texas’ head coach.