Steve Sarkisian lists returning players standing out in practice

As Texas heads into their Alamo Bowl matchup against Washington, head coach Steve Sarkisian has had to manage players missing out on the bowl game due to preparing for the NFL Draft or entering the transfer portal like Bijan Robinson, Hudson Card, Agiye Hall, and others. Despite this, Sarkisian still has a strong roster heading into their bowl game with plenty of returning talent, which he highlighted this week.

“A guy to me that has really stood out that I’ve seen from my time here from the beginning to where we are now has been T’Vondre Sweat. This guy has really started to mature in a way that — he has a really positive impact on the guys around him,” Sarkisian said.

Sweat was a three-star prospect out of Huntsville, Texas who joined the Longhorns in 2019. Each year in the program his playing time and production increased, most recently being named an All-Big 12 honorable mention after recording career highs 28 tackles this season from his interior defensive line position.

“Obviously he’s a really good football player, imposing figure, and obviously demands kind of respect when he speaks, but yet I think he’s doing it in a way of maturity, and in his own way I think the players really respect that about him,” Sarkisian explained. “That has definitely shined through.”

Sweat also added 2.5 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, and three pass breakups to his stat line this season, showing growth on and off the field. But he isn’t the only player who’s impressed Sarkisian this season, as he also spoke on the growth of two of his best players that also earned all-conference honors after breakout seasons.

“I think J.T. Sanders is another guy who came in with a lot of hype freshman year, was a special teams player, then produced on the field this year as a sophomore. I think he’s grown into his own of being that leader mentality. I think Jaylan Ford in his own way,” Sarkisian said.

Sanders burst onto the scene this year, transitioning from a special teams contributor to the Longhorns’ starting tight end named first-team All-Big 12 by both the Big 12 and the Associated Press. Sanders ended the year with 49 receptions for 577 yards and five touchdown grabs, leading all Big 12 tight ends in catches and receiving yards.

Similarly, Ford was also a breakout season, ranking third in the Big 12 in total tackles with 109 on the season and earning first-team all-conference honors. He, Sanders, and Sweat all have the potential to have breakout performances in the Alamo Bowl, which kicks off on Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET and airs on ESPN.