Steve Sarkisian reveals how landing big-time quarterback commits helps boost Texas program

Texas Football prying five-star 2023 quarterback Arch Manning away from family ties in the SEC is Steve Sarkisian’s marquee move since taking the job last offseason. According to the Longhorn head coach, the benefits of landing that type of prospect span far and wide, far beyond just Manning’s arm.

At Big 12 Media Days, Sarkisian was asked about how the addition of Manning, as well as nabbing former five-star Quinn Ewers, has had an effect on the program as a whole. Here’s how Sark answered:

“I do believe that the quarterback position is the most important position in sports. And that’s not just because of being able to throw post routes and curl routes and slant routes. I think the best quarterbacks, the great quarterbacks are influential people.”

“In this day and age of the players being able to connect with one another in the recruiting process, they do have an impact on where certain people go. So you have to be very mindful of the types of kids you recruit at the quarterback position. The things that they liken to. The things that are important to them. Because generally, if it’s important to them, then it’s going to be important to the people that they are connected to.”

So landing Manning as a quarterback is just as important as landing him as a leader. Of the future recruiting class and eventually of the team on the field once he gets to Austin.

“I do think it matters. I do think recruiting is about momentum. We’ve hit some momentum streaks here over the last 18 months. Hopefully, we continue those momentum streaks throughout my time here. But I think, yeah, there is a lot that goes into the quarterback. Because not only do they matter on the field when it’s game day. I think it matters in recruiting, I think it matters in morale, I think quarterbacks matter in the locker room.”

Steve Sarkisian — an offensive-minded coach to begin with — understands the most valuable position in football applies both on and off the field. Quarterbacks need to lead offenses just as well as locker rooms. According to him, that’s why Texas will “continue to recruit that position at a very high level.”