Steve Sarkisian on Texas' secondary: 'I'm excited about the group'

Heading into 2024 and a brand new conference with Texas‘ transition to the SEC, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is supremely confident in the state of his defensive backfield this summer.

Of course, like they did at many positions, Texas did lose stars from a year ago. But attrition is an annual part of life in college football, now more than ever. At the same time, the avenues for roster addition have never been more wide open, and via a combination of returners, transfers and incoming freshmen, Sarkisian loves the Longhorn secondary as it’s constructed.

“In my opinion, this is probably the most talented and deepest secondary that we’ve had in our time here,” Sarkisian told Greg McElroy on his show, Always College Football.

“I’m looking forward to watching these guys,” said Sark, “because I think the continuity of the coaching staff, them having the same coaches now going into year four, has been helpful. The communication’s better.”

While some fans may wonder about the changes in the back end, Sarkisian raved about the personnel apart of the ’24 group, first singling out some rising sophomores.

“Well, I’m excited about the group. I think, to watch the growth of Manny Muhammad last season, to watch the growth of Derek Williams last season — both true freshmen that played a significant amount of time for us.”

Williams isn’t the only returner Sarkisian is excited about, as he noted a few other veteran pieces who are getting back to full strength after injury setbacks.

“Jahdae Baron and the mainstay that he was for us the last two years and getting him back to 100% healthy. He’s a fantastic player for us. One guy that’s back to playing great football that was actually a starter for us as a true freshman two years ago, had a knee injury, and last season was tough on him, but had a great spring is Jaylon Guilbeau.”

“And then you have kind of the glue back there in Michael Taaffe,” he added to wrap up comments on the returnees. Next, Steve Sarkisian discussed the transfer additions, praising at least three different pieces Texas has picked out of the portal.

“You look at what we’re able to do recruiting-wise and what we’re able to do in the portal. To go get Andrew Mukuba, a three-year starter from Clemson to come back home to Austin has been a great addition at safety for us. To go get a Jay’vion Cole, transfer from San Jose State. To watch the growth of a Gavin Holmes who came to us last year from Wake Forest. Not to mention some of the high-level recruits we have.”

And don’t forget, as noted with Muhammed and Williams, you can’t count out true freshmen making an impact in that Longhorn back end.