Steve Sarkisian breaks down Andrew Mukuba's fit with Texas

Andrew Mukuba decided to come home this week with his choice to commit to Texas out of the transfer portal. With him headed back to The 40 Acres, Steve Sarkisian sees it as a major plus for both sides.

Sarkisian spoke about the Longhorns’ addition of Mukuba during his press conference on National Signing Day this week. For starters, he described the caliber of an experienced defender that they’re getting in the former Tiger safety. With three seasons under his belt, Mukuba has seen and done a lot as a player that’s now at Texas’ disposal.

“We’re getting a player who has, for three years, been a frontline starter at Clemson and has been playing football at a high level for a very good program, one that I have a ton of respect for Coach Swinney and the job they do at Clemson,” said Sarkisian. “He has been in big time games, big time moments.”

“He’s a really versatile player. He has played star, he has played safety, he has covered in man, he plays physical,” Sarkisian said. “For us? Just that experience.”

Sarkisian is also glad that, with this commitment, they brought Mukuba home for the holidays and for good. Had he been around in Austin during the initial recruitment back in 2021, he says he wouldn’t have wanted a hometown prospect like Mukuba to slip through his fingers.

“The fact for him that he gets to come home and to be back home? I joked, where I said, ‘Man, I wish I could have been here when you were coming out. Maybe you would have gotten to come here right out of high school,'” Sarkisian said. “But it’s great for him. He has got a lot of friends on the team so that’s a great opportunity.”

Mukuba appeared in 35 games, including 31 starts, over his three campaigns at Clemson. In that time, he posted 142 tackles, 15 pass deflections, a sack, and an interception. During this past season, he finished with 42 tackles, six deflections, and a fumble recovery as a junior and one of the team’s defensive leaders.

If there’s one aspect of Texas that could use some help, it’s in the secondary. Now, with Mukuba headed home, Sarkisian has a players that he can simply plug in and play in order to get high-quality production from that area.

“As much as we’re losing some veteran players in that secondary, especially at that safety position? To add a guy who has that much experience and has played in big games and in big moments, I think, will be a really good calming effect for us,” Sarkisian said.