Steve Sarkisian labels tight end as the position Texas has 'biggest question mark'

Steve Sarkisian labeled the tight end group as the biggest question mark for Texas for the 2025 season. So while that gets figured out, he was at least complimentary of the wide receiver group.

Overall, Texas’ offense will have a lot of new faces, most notably quarterback Arch Manning taking over as the full-time starter. Getting everyone on the same page will be key to getting the Longhorns back to the College Football Playoff and in the running for a national championship.

Still, Sarkisian had to be up front about the tight ends. Jordan Washington and Spencer Shannon are seemingly the frontrunners to get the most playing time, but there are a few that could make a move.

“I think having DeAndre Moore and Ryan Wingo back is going to be big,” Sarkisian said. “And then we got some guys that, it’s time to step up and it’s their moment. I would say the one room that we probably have our biggest question mark in is in the tight end room. So the offense is there.”

None of the above mentioned tight ends registered catches last season. Gunnar Helm, who’s NFL bound, led the team in catches for 60 for 786 yards and seven touchdowns. The good news is, Texas added transfer tight end Jack Endries.

Steve Sarkisian explains grace period for Arch Manning

Speaking with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Longhorns leader elaborated on if he’s expecting any growing pains with Manning this coming season. While the playing time he received in 2024 will help, Sarkisian recognizes being the No. 1 on the depth chart is a little different, and it might take Manning a bit to adjust when it’s time to put up or shut up.

“I think one, the exposure he got last season was helpful. He got two career starts. He started as our quarterback in the first SEC game in the history of the school. And those were not all perfect. Granted, there were some great moments. He threw nine touchdowns and almost a thousand yards. There was a couple of bad picks in there too,” Sarkisian stated.

“In the end, I think he understands he is not riding the emotional roller coaster of the opinions of others and staying [with a] level of consistency in his approach, in his play, in his ability to pick people up. Easier said than done when you’re not in the real fire of it all. But we are fortunate that he got exposed to some of that, and he threw a couple bad picks, and it was OK.

“… He’s learning. Yeah, there’s probably going to be some grace needed. Unfortunately, it’s probably not going to be grace granted outside of our building. Inside of our building, sure, there will be, but outside of the building, the pundits are going to be the pundits, the fans are going to be the fans, the opposing fans are going to be the fans. But inside our building, I think the support that he’s going to get is going to be one that he’ll definitely appreciate.”