Overlooked Texas Transfer is Impressing Steve Sarkisian

The Texas Longhorns are now well in the swing of things when it comes to spring practice, as the Longhorns continue to lay the foundation down before their return to the football field later in the fall.

The Longhorns have plenty of new faces that are beginning to assimilate themselves into the Longhorns program. The newest faces on the Forty Acres are now looking to keep bleeding as a team with the returns.

And one of those newest faces has already started to turn some heads recently, receiving some praise from head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Steve Sarkisian Talks About Michael Masunas

Michigan State Spartans tight end Michael Masunas runs after a catch against Western Michigan. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Tuesday, Sarkisian took to the mic stand for a media availability where he provided updates on what the Longhorns squad is starting to look like now, several practices into spring ball, and Sarkisian highlighted what sticks out to him about transfer tight end Michael Masunas.

"I think his C-area presence in the run game and pass protection is evident," Sarkisian said.

Masunas heads to the Forty Acres after spending four seasons up north with the Michigan State Spartans, during which, after redshirting as a freshman, he totaled 25 games in the next three seasons, ending his time with the Spartans with 24 catches for 270 yards and three touchdowns.

The veteran tight end comes into a Longhorn tight end room that lost its leading target in Jack Endries, who is headed to the NFL, declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft after the season, and Jordan Washington, who decided to transfer out after the 2025 season.

Steve Sarkisian Highlights the Rest of the TE Room

Texas Longhorns tight end Emaree Winston runs after a catching pass while defended by Sam Houston Bearkats defensive back Jace Arnold. | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Masunas was not the only tight end that Sarkisian spotlighted on Tuesday, as he talked about the growth that he has seen from third-year tight end Spencer Shannon.

"I love the growth of Spencer Shannon, from where he was when he started," Sarkisian said. "The progression of growth in his time in the program has been very encouraging to me."

The Longhorns head coach also shed light on the young pieces in the Longhorns' tight end room, talking about what sophomores Nick Townsend and Emaree Winston can bring to the table in 2026.

"I love the versatility of Nick Townsend and Emaree Winston," Sarkisian said. "These guys give us opportunities to do different things, maybe different than we've done historically, and they're not identical either, that have different things that they do well."

And Sarkisian ended his talk about the tight end room, speaking on what the entire room is doing throughout spring practice to help become a collective unit.

"I like the versatility of the room," Sarkisian said. "I am encouraged by the tight ends, by the mindset, work ethic, the approach that these guys have of trying to be a really strong unit on the team, and I think they're working on it together."

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