Steve Sarkisian calls Alabama transfer WR Isaiah Bond 'electric'
Quinn Ewers might be returning for another season but his receiving weapons are all leaving the program. Texas will be losing its top three WRs plus tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, leaving Steve Sarkisian with the job of restocking the room. Mission was certainly accomplished through the NCAA transfer portal, with Isaiah Bond being the top addition.
Sarkisian spoke on Bond for the first time Wednesday, discussing what the former Alabama wideout brings to the program. If Xavier Worthy was the deep ball threat for Texas last season, Bond will take his role in 2024. A player who has SEC experience as well with the Longhorns moving over to the conference.
“Electric receiver for us,” Sarkisian said. “Guy that we recruited hard out of Buford High School in Georgia. Went to Alabama and had a tremendous year for them this year. Great deep ball player, deep threat, elite speed. We think there’s more to his game than just that.”
Bond will forever be remembered in Tuscaloosa for what he did in Auburn this past season, pulling off the 4th and 31 miracle in the Iron Bowl. He also made a huge play in the SEC Championship game against Georgia on a fourth down, leading to an Alabama touchdown in the first half.
In 14 games with the Crimson Tide this season, Bond caught 48 passes for 668 yards and four touchdowns. He will be hoping for an even bigger season in Austin, potentially showcasing more to his game as Sarkisian mentioned.
Steve Sarkisian believes wide receiver room is ‘really solid’
Bond is not the only addition to the Texas wide receiver room. Matthew Golden enters the program via Houston, while Oregon State‘s Silas Bolden will join over the summer. Those three will be competing for playing time with guys who have already been on campus, mainly former five-star Johntay Cook.
Sarkisian is happy with the group Texas has been able to assemble ahead of the 2024 season. Now, it’s just about putting the right players on the field.
“That room is going to be really solid,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve just got to find that right group of guys once September rolls around.”
Texas did not rotate too much at receiver last season, keeping the main three — Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, and Jordan Whittington — on the field. Sarkisian will have more options at his disposal this season and will hope to find the correct balance for Ewers and the offense.