Steve Sarkisian updates Texas quarterback situation

Texas has been back and forth on the quarterback position all season with Hudson Card and Casey Thompson. When making the decision for Friday’s game against Kansas State, head coach Steve Sarkisian will have injuries to consider.

During his Monday press conference, Sarkisian said both Card and Thompson are going to be listed as day-to-day. Both got injured on Saturday in the road loss to West Virginia.

If one had to play today, the head coach estimated Thompson would be the starter. He has been in the role for Texas ever since Week 3 win over Rice.

Sarkisian said if neither were able to play, Ben Ballard would get the starting nod for the Longhorns. The sophomore has attempted and completed one career pass, coming in the 2020 Alamo Bowl against Colorado.

Both Card and Thompson got playing time against West Virginia. The latter only threw for 29 yards on 14 passing attempts, while Card rejuvenated the offense in the second half.

After Card suffered an ankle injury, Thompson was reinserted into the game but was not able to complete the comeback.

Texas will head into the Thanksgiving weekend game against Kansas State on a six-game losing streak. No matter the result, the Longhorns will not be going to a bowl game for the first time since the Charlie Strong days.

Sarkisian will want to end the year on a positive note and not bring the taste of seven straight losses into 2022.

Steve Sarkisian opens up 2022 QB competition

After giving updates on the health of the quarterbacks, Sarkisian said there will be another competition going into next season. Neither Thompson nor Card have played up to standard, leaving the door open for somebody else.

“We have to open that job up. We have to let those guys compete,” he said in his weekly press conference.

As to who will be on the roster is still not fully known. One of the two guys from this season could transfer out. Ballard is seen as the third-string, while true freshman Charles Wright will be in Austin next season as well.

From a recruiting standpoint, Texas has one quarterback commitment from On3 Consensus four-star Gardena (CA) Junipero Serra quarterback Maalik Murphy. Whether or not another signal caller is added to the class is yet to be known.

The transfer portal could be an option for Steve Sarkisian as well. While options may be more limited there, the pitch of early playing time could be enticing to some quarterbacks looking for a new home.