Steve Sarkisian provides praise to young players with high potential

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was asked at a recent press conference for updates on three redshirt/true freshmen. One small, one massive and one medium-sized. A reporter asked about 6-7 EDGE Ethan Burke, 6-2 EDGE Justice Finkley, and 6-0 CB Michael Taeffe. Below you can find comments straight from the head coach regarding each player.

Steve Sarkisian on Ethan Burke

“So Ethan has been a, you know, just a welcomed addition to the team. He’s a guy who was not here in spring. Got here in the summer. He’s got al ot of length. He’s got natural rush ability. Very tough-minded kid. And he’s found he’s found his way kind of into the two-deep. And when he’s in there he does some really positive things. So we’re encouraged by him. I think the beauty for Ethan is he’s got a lot of room for growth. I think his best days are ahead of him. But he’s definitely made an impact.”

Four-star EDGE Ethan Burke out of Austin, TX is the 339th-ranked player in the country, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average.

On Justice Finkley

“Justice, I thought, was — you know, I met with him on this. I thought he got off to a little bit of a slow start in camp comparatively to kind of how he ended spring ball. But I think that he has picked it up. But I have to remind myself every time I talk to Justice, he’s very mature, but he’s still a true freshman, right, and there’s still a lot of growth for him too. You know, it’s like sometimes we hold those guys to a different standard than we were here in spring. But inevitably, he and Ethan Burke are still true freshmen together. So a big future, big upside for him.”

Four-star EDGE Justice Finkley of Trussville, AL is the nation’s No. 126 overall prospect, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average.

On Ethan Burke

“Michael Taaffe (the redshirt freshman) is kind of a bit of a Swiss army knife, you know. He’s a guy that can play multiple positions. Very smart, great leadership. He’s a guy who’s actually, as a walk-on, is on our leadership council. I think that he’s he’s got a great voice and he finds a way, he’s got a knack for finding the ball and making plays. Whether it’s on defense or special teams.”