The first change of the Steve Sarkisian era in Austin came just before Texas’ new head coach got off the plane.
On Tuesday, the first puzzle piece of the 2022 recruiting cycle fell into place when Armani Winfield committed to Texas. He was only the second recruit to promise to come to Austin after Phaizon Wilson retired in early October. The other is the class’s # 1 overview in Southlake Carroll’s quarterback, Quinn Ewers. We heard rumors of Jaylon Guilbreau having doubts, but he never pulled the plug.
We all know the story of Ewers, he was born to be a Longhorn. He was raised as a fan of the team, which apparently gave Texas an edge on the recruiting trail. Former coach Tom Herman and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich have secured their commitment to playing for the Longhorns. Then, Herman and company started getting in the way with losses to Texas Christian and Oklahoma just a few weeks later.
Now, a former Alabama and national championship winning quarterback in Greg McElroy thinks Sarkisian needs to go hunting for big games in the 2022 class. According to 247Sports, Sark needs to remain the quarterback’s guru.
“Sark needs to remain a quarterback guru … Your Tagovailoa and Mac Jones have had incredible seasons as far as Sarkisian is concerned, and largely because he creates so many problems for defenses with combats and pre-snap moves and pre-snap moves , ”McElroy said Wednesday at College Football Live. “And it also makes things extremely easy for defenders. He needs to go out and hire a remarkably respected recruit for the 2022 class. ”
Considering what happened in the last few months for the program, one would think that it goes without saying that Sark needs a big fish. It all started with Winfield, who many thought would be the next major Texas target to go north, to Buckeye State, joining Caleb Burton and the aforementioned Ewers. McElroy went on to mention which big fish Sark “could” go after.
“This recruit can play on Southlake Carroll and his name could be Quinn Ewers. He was committed to Texas before moving on and committing to the state of Ohio. If he signs with Texas, it will signal that there is a new sheriff in town in Austin and this is a destination for offensive talent to gather. If he can make that move, he will legitimately have the chance to send shockwaves across the rest of the college football world. “
Texas has felt these shock waves before, twice. When Ewers originally declared that he was coming to Texas, it raised a lot of eyebrows. High-profile talents across the country began to think about using the burnt orange next to him. The Forty Acres felt these shock waves for the second time when he reopened his recruitment and ended up deciding for the state of Ohio. The Dragons’ quarterback would then take the Austin area wide receiver Burton with him.
Ewers developed a good relationship with Ryan Day and the Buckeyes team to the point of deciding to play there, rather than in his home state. It was also noted that Sarkisian has developed a very good relationship with the Texas product. Regardless of whether he says no to Texas and Sarkisian, what does he have to lose to get away from him?
When Ewers discussed his decision to go to Ohio, it was all about getting to the NFL. Up to this point it is not evident that Coach Day was able to produce NFL quarterbacks, not to say that he cannot, but it is not yet evident. With Sarkisian, he can point to all the defenders he sent to the NFL on his system. Sark is about to send another Crimson Tide quarterback, Mac Jones.
Whether it’s Ewers, Gunner Stockton or another top-class defender, it’s officially the hunting season.