Longhorns' Steve Sarkisian Addresses Key Position Battles: 'Tough Call'
AUSTIN, Texas -- With the college football season a month away, the Texas Longhorns need to start solidifying the final depth chart before their season opener at home on Sept. 2 against the Rice Owls.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian addressed some of the these key positions battles when speaking to the media on Tuesday, but didn't provide any concrete answers just yet.
“I think running back is going to end up being a tough call as we get to that point," he said. "I think what we do in the secondary is going to be unique and difficult. I think who plays next to Jaylan Ford is going to be one."
Running back Jonathon Brooks appeared to have been the favorite to land the starting job in the backfield following the departure of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, but it seems like things have changed since the spring game. Of course, Sark could also be bluffing and intentionally not showing his hand when it comes to a key position like this and with Alabama looming in Week 2.
Regardless, there's tons of talent in the backfield. C.J Baxter, Jaydon Blue, Savion Red and Keilan Robinson should all get the chance to make some big plays in a running back room that could be much more committee-like than last season.
At linebacker, Ford is a candidate to win the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, but no longer has DeMarvion Overshown by his side. The play of guys like Morice Blackwell Jr. and David Gbenda will be key, as well as that of young guns like Justice Finkley and Anthony Hill.
The secondary will look a bit different than fans are used to seeing this season, as leaders and longtime Longhorns D'Shawn Jamison and Anthony Cook are gone. But there's a lot of excitement with this group, especially considering the way defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski talked about cornerback Terrance Brooks on Tuesday.
"(He's) arguably been the most improved guy from last year to this year," Kwiatkowski said of Brooks. “His spring and his summer was outstanding.”
Additionally, Jahdae Barron will be looking to build off of his breakout campaign last season while Ryan Watts aims to take things to the next level during his senior year.
Transfers in the secondary like Jalen Catalon and Gavin Holmes along with dynamic freshman Malik Muhammad help add to what could be one the team's strongest units this season.
Sarkisian and staff now have less than a month to make a final call on who starts and who doesn't.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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