LIVE UPDATES: Steve Sarkisian's signing day press conference

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorn football program signed a top-five 2023 class on Wednesday’s national signing day, with three On3 Consensus five-star prospects and 18 other recruits putting pen to paper to join the UT program.

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Sarkisian will be available to the media at 3 p.m. Central. It will be his first opportunity to publicly discuss members of his 21-person class. The press conference will be aired online at TexasSports.com.

Updates from Steve Sarkisian

Steve Sarkisian: “We feel really good about the class we signed. I feel like we addressed a lot of the needs we felt we had, but also addressed the progress of our program and where we wanted to head.”

Steve Sarkisian: “We’re bringing in a lot of players that are winners. You look at this class, a lot of these guys were state champions either this year or in their junior year. Guys have won a lot football games.”

Steve Sarkisian on Arch Manning: “I think he’s extremely gifted. He’s got all the attributes needed to be a really good quarterback. He’s 6-foot-4, 225. He’s got a great arm, he’s a good athlete. He’s got really good fundamentals. There’s not a throw he can’t make, the off platform throws. Comes from a really great program at Newman.” — Says Manning’s commitment was earlier than they were anticipating in the summer: “We took it. We were excited about it.”

Steve Sarkisian on his defensive coaches: “I thought those guys did a great job developing relationships with the players on the defensive side of the ball in the class.”

Steve Sarkisian on defensive recruits: “I think in the end, the reason a lot of these guys are coming is because they saw the growth and the progress that our defense made from year one to year two. They could see the growth and development of just our overall defense and our style of play. This is a great haul.”

Steve Sarkisian calls S’Maje Burrell “the prototypical off the ball linebacker who recognizes plays, closes on the ball, then strikes the ball carrier and gets him on the ground. All in all, what a fantastic group.”

Steve Sarkisian on Tre Wisner and CJ Baxter: “I think freshmen can come in and play the running back position.” Mentions Reggie Bush and LenDale White played as true freshmen at USC.

Steve Sarkisian says about RB they “don’t want the same runner every year. We’re always trying to find — if we’re going to take two, how do they balance each other out?”

Steve Sarkisian on redshirting, specifically at quarterback: “I’m not worried about redshirting. I’m worried about development.” — “You always want to have four quarterbacks on scholarship.”

Steve Sarkisian on Terry Joseph’s ability to tap into Louisiana: “When you think about Louisiana being an extension of East Texas, and to go into Louisiana, in our opinion, sign the top offensive player and defensive player out of Louisiana, that’s a heck of a haul for us. Terry Joseph does a fantastic job in Louisiana. He’s got great connections. He’s got great rapport with the players and their families and the high school coaches.”

Steve Sarkisian says “I’m hopeful we can maybe get one or two more guys before the day is done.”

Steve Sarkisian mentions going to Hawaii was different when he visited Liona Lefau “because that’s a long trip. It puts things into perspective for me for him and his family.” — Mentions Lefau hosted a camp in Kahuku, and Sarkisian was able to see the type of leader Lefau is and the type of impact he has in his community.

Steve Sarkisian on Derek Williams, aka The Raptor: “I remember watching his tape and thinking this guy has got a chance to be a first-round draft pick.”

Steve Sarkisian says the Texas locker room does a great job of helping players who might be from out of state become more accustomed to life away from home.

Steve Sarkisian on Payton Kirkland’s commitment: “One thing that helped is that he and Cedric Baxter are really close in proximity and knew each other. I think there was a lot of common knowledge and dialogue that went on.” — Kirkland often Zoomed with Sarkisian and utilized recruiting strategies programs had to use during COVID.

Steve Sarkisian calls his OL class a “high level group,” says signing 12 offensive linemen in the last two years has helped transform the position group: “We’ve got something to build on for our future.”

Steve Sarkisian says they could “foresee us taking a potential of another three or four” from the transfer portal. — “There’s not a set number that we’re looking for. It’s the right fit and the right need that we have in the program.”

Jonathon Brooks, Mo Blackwell, J’mond Tapp, and Maalik Murphy are three younger players mentioned by Steve Sarkisian as doing well during the bowl practices.

Steve Sarkisian: “There’s a style of a player I look for at very specific positions.” — Up front, he wants big people. — “I also think you’ve got to be versatile enough at the second and third levels to be multiple.” — “Ultimately at wide receiver, our numbers are not where we want to be just through natural attrition that has occurred.”

Steve Sarkisian says he believes they have to have the early signing period at this time. “I think for (recruits), we have to put something in place that allows them to have their moment and their signing day.” — “If I’ve got to work a little bit harder to sign a really good class, I’m okay with that.”

Steve Sarkisian: “We’ve assembled a bunch of winners. We’ve got a culture here that is starting to understand the importance of why we’re here — to win.”

Steve Sarkisian on tampering: “I haven’t seen it first-hand.”

Steve Sarkisian says the EDGE position in 2024 is strong in Texas, as is RB and WR.