Texas football, Steve Sarkisian have no more excuses in 2023

Now in his third year at Texas, Steve Sarkisian might have his best chance yet at a Big 12 title before the Longhorns head to the SEC. He laid the foundation over the last two seasons, and now — with Quinn Ewers back under center — he could have his team ready to make a run.

In fact, according to On3’s J.D. PicKell, there are no excuses for the Longhorns to come up short of the Big 12 title game.

Ewers isn’t the only big name back for Texas. Xavier Worthy is also returning, and one of last year’s top transfers — Isaiah Neyor — is also expected to play a key role after suffering an injury last season. Add in another transfer portal addition in AD Mitchell and some highly touted recruits such as CJ Baxter, and the Longhorns appear to be in business.

“For Texas … they’ve built to this. For Steve Sarkisian, it’s year three. Quinn Ewers, second year in the saddle, gonna be the starting quarterback. There’s no more excuses for Texas,” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “And Texas fans have had excuses as much as they probably hated to say them. They’ve had excuses built in with, ‘Yeah, but the culture isn’t where it needs to be.’ ‘Quinn Ewers, yeah, super talented. But guys, he’s supposed to be a freshman. He graduated high school early. He’s still figuring it out. Give them time.’ There’s no more that on the table for Texas.

“On top of that, look at the weapons you have on this offense. Xavier Worthy is that dude. But then you got Isaiah Neyor, you got AD Mitchell via the transfer portal. You’re gonna have a stable of running backs. CJ Baxter, I think the five-star freshman is going to be a guy for you, along with Keilan Robinson. You go down the line here and for Texas, there’s no more excuses. Everything is there to win. And the Big 12, I’ve said it before, it is 1,000,000% wide open.”

JD PicKell: Texas can set its trajectory in the SEC this season

This year is huge for Texas as the Longhorns prepare to take the jump to the SEC, PicKell said — especially as they look toward the future on the recruiting trail. He maintains he thinks Texas can make the Big 12 Championship although fans, of course, want to win that game. But either way, 2023 can help set the table for Sarkisian and Co. on the recruiting trail.

After all, if they can’t keep up in the Big 12, what will recruits think after Texas gets to the SEC?

“If I’m a recruit, am I signing up for the trajectory of that Texas team?” PicKell said. “Because listen, I love the Big 12. I’ve lived a large portion of my life in Big 12 country. But the SEC now, it’s a different beast. I mean, Kirk Herbstreit, when he came on this very show he was like, ‘Listen, they go play with the big boys in 2024.’ … The SEC, in terms of the competition, it’s going to be brutal. It will be more difficult week in and week out than the Big 12. Just a reality.

“So for Texas, if you’re not going to achieve what you’re capable of in the Big 12 this year, and it gets harder in 2024 and I’m a recruit, I may not have the confidence to sign up for that. Now, far be it for me to say Texas won’t recruit well. I’m not saying that. I’m just saying for the trajectory, if you’re gonna go ahead and win the Big 12 and then go to the SEC after, let’s say, winning the Big 12 and making a College Football Playoff. Well then, that conversation changes. Then, you say, ‘Okay, yeah, I want to be a part of that.’ So this is a big year for the trajectory of the program and to pitch that to recruits in the future.”