Steve Sarkisian reveals key defender moved to running back position

Steve Sarkisian has made a positional switch on his roster, moving linebacker Jaden Hullaby to the other side of the ball to running back. After seven spring practices, the Texas Longhorns head coach decided to tweak his roster for the first time this year.

When meeting with the media after practice, Sarkisian explained the decision of moving Hullaby to the offensive side of the ball. He said because running back is such an important position in his system, they’re always looking for guys who can play the position well. Sarkisian went on to compare him to Roschon Johnson from a frame/size perspective.

“We moved him to running back today and we’re going to do that here — kind of the interim,” Sarkisian said. “I want to see what that looks like. You know, he’s a big physical athlete. In our system, the running back position is critical and if we can find another guy who’s built a little bit like Roschon in that way, that could maybe develop into that role, we’ll see.”

Hullaby was actually ranked as a running back coming out of Mansfield Timberview High School, being No. 56 at the position in the country. He was moved over to linebacker as a freshman and has been at the position for the past three seasons. Only appearing in two games during the 2020 season, Hullaby will now have an opportunity to prove himself as a running back going forward.

However, Texas currently has a stacked running back room, headlined by Bijan Robinson. Considered one of the best in the country, Robinson is going to be the star of the Longhorns’ offense next season, no matter who is brought into the room. Johnson, who Hullaby was compared to by Sarkisian, has emerged as a leader for the Texas team and will get most of the second string snaps.

Even further down the depth chart, there are talented players for position coach Tashard Choice. True freshman Jaydon Blue was ranked a Consensus four-star prospect and will be a threat coming out of the backfield if he’s able to receive playing time this season. Keilan Robinson got limited touches during the 2021 season after transferring over from the Alabama Crimson Tide, while Jonathon Brooks impressed on the snaps he played as well.

If Hullaby is developed the way Steve Sarkisian has worked with Johnson, he will mostly get time when some hard-earned yards are required. It’s only Day One of the experiment and time will tell how the move pays off for the Longhorns.