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Three-and-out is developing a new meaning at Texas

Eric Nahlinby:Eric Nahlin•about 9 hours
Kelvin Banks
Kelvin Banks (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

In Steve Sarkisian’s first year at Texas, the offense often struggled to move the ball in the second half of contests. The amount of three-and-outs kept an already overmatched defense on the field far too much, leading to the loss of leads and ultimately games. That was pretty much the theme for that season as Texas finished 5-7.

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The biggest issue Sark has with three-and-outs these days is replacing them after they depart for the NFL Draft.

His growing track record in the last two years says a lot about the state of affairs in Texas, but first let’s look at the players who left Texas after three seasons of college ball.

2023 season, 2024 draft

DT Byron Murphy – RD 1, pick 16: Flashed as a freshman; sort of quiet sophomore year in a deep room; blew up junior year.

WR Xavier Worthy – RD 1, pick 28: Blew up as a freshman; inconsistent sophomore year (partly due to injury); good junior year.

RB Jonathon Brooks – RD 2, pick 46: Flashed in his limited carries but sat two years behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson; blew up junior year.

WR Adonai Mitchell – RD 2, pick 52: Flashed big-play and big-game potential in two years at Georgia; became co-No. 1 receiver at Texas.

TE Ja’Tavion Sanders – RD 4, pick 101: Special teams contributor as freshman; consistently dangerous receiving threat as sophomore and junior.

2024 season, 2025 draft

OT Kelvin Banks – projected RD 1: Stud since day-1; fantastic career; won Outland and Lombardi as junior

OT Cameron Williams – projected RD 1-2: Waited turn behind Christian Jones as freshman and sophomore; up and down junior year but traits have the NFL drooling

WR Matthew Golden – projected RD 2-3: Similar to Mitchell, portal acquisition who had by far his finest year at Texas

WR Isaiah Bond – projected RD 2-3: Would have had big year if not for injury; traits will keep high up draft boards

RB Jaydon Blue – projected RD 3-5: Didn’t have career or year he would have liked; often overshadowed by NFL backs on roster; versatile skill-set with elite speed will have him desirable

Thoughts

*I wanted to add Quinn Ewers because all he learned in his semester at Ohio State was how to balance his metaphorical checkbook. He’s not technically a three-year player but his first season was basically a true freshman season before developing further from there.

*This is a fantastic brochure for Sark to share with high school recruits, almost all of which want to be three-and-done.

*The same goes for portal recruits who often have a mercenary, transactional mindset. “I’ll come ball for you, you get me to the league.” Deal and deal.

*Both Byron Murphy and Xavier Worthy were players who sources raved about the second they arrived on campus. That matters and is exciting when you consider true freshmen Justus Terry and Lance Jackson are already receiving similar praise.

*Patience matters, even for three-year players. Despite his lofty ranking, Sanders was stuck on special teams as a freshman. Brooks could have bailed but didn’t. Ditto Williams when Christian Jones came back for an extra year.

*Stars matter. Banks is an example but so too will be Anthony Hill, Malik Muhammad, Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo, and a number of members of Texas’ 2025 No. 1 recruiting class.

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*Three-year players are the culmination of many factors — eval, traits, scheme, patience, development. They also help you attract more three-year player types.

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