Steve Sarkisian prepared for growing pains with young team, Quinn Ewers at quarterback

The Texas Longhorns will be a very young team this fall on the football field. Entering head coach Steve Sarkisian’s second season, the ‘Horns are still rebuilding into his vision of the team. Which means a lot of turnover and playing younger guys. Just look at their offensive depth chart, where Texas is projected to start just one senior alongside a bevy of sophomores and juniors. Of course, all led by a redshirt freshman at quarterback.

So, as mentioned, this team is young. And Sarkisian is well aware. That’s why he practically spat out his water when told that a voter in the coaches poll ranked Texas first on his ballot. Coach Sark may think that sort of potential is possible, but he knows there’s still a ways to go for the Longhorns to reach that level.

He said as much at a recent media gathering. Where one reporter asked Steve Sarkisian what it’s like trying to bring this young offense along with a brand new transfer quarterback in the fold with Quinn Ewers.

Here was his answer in full:

“I think, naturally, you know, we’re going to have some growing pains. Not only are we relatively young at quarterback. We’re a relatively young team. And so, we’ve got to do a really good job as a staff of trying to put our players in position to learn from tough situations. We try to do that in practice. We try to do that in scrimmages. We’ll spot the ball on our own one yard line. And how do you play in your own end zone? We’re gonna put situations where it’s a potential four-down territory. Where it’s third-down playing itself into fourth down.

“I don’t expect them to get it exactly right the first time. But as many situations as I can put Quinn in and our team in, hopefully the better we respond in game when they present themselves. So, you know, I’m a realist. We’re gonna get through some growing pains, and that’s okay. I still think we’re a pretty good football team. I think we got some really key veterans at key spots that can help alleviate some of that.”

So Sarkisian is still testing this team. Putting them in adverse situations to see who rises to the moment in practice so he can gauge who will be most trustworthy when the stakes raise the highest. Trial by fire for this young Texas team.