ARLINGTON, Texas – Steve Sarkisian was telling media that were listening that his Longhorns will be better this fall. Sark feels good that one of his two quarterbacks in Ohio State transfer and NIL millionaire Quinn Ewers and Longhorn veteran Hudson Card will be good enough. He likes his receivers that include Xavier Worthy. He thinks the defense will be vastly improved. Then, you have future star NFL running back Bijan Robinson. My question is will Texas have a decent offensive line to block for him.
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Sarkisian talking to the media in Arlington.
We signed those seven freshman offensive linemen, but only one of them was an early admit,” Sarkisian said from the podium. “The other six didn't show up until after Memorial Day. For Coach Flood (offensive line coach) to be able to work with those guys, meet with them, work on techniques, fundamentals, has been tremendous. Those guys, that freshman class I think is poised to do something special at the University of Texas. got the right work ethic. They've got the right mindset. They have the physical traits.”
It's one thing for Sarkisian to believe and to sell, but it is better to ask the guy whose health and well-being will depend on that offensive line holding up and even being aggressive and productive. That would be the quarterbacks. They weren’t there, but Bijan Robinson was.
“I’m really impressed. They came in here ready to work. They came here ready to get to work immediately,” said the All-American and standout running back. “I got with those guys before they got here and told them I really need them this year. I need you guys to contribute in a really large way. They told me, ‘I got you. I will be at the level that I need to be at.’ We need all those guys to come in and make a big impact and they are at work right now. They are putting in work everyday to be the best they can be.”
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Robinson scoring vs. Oklahoma State in the loss to the Cowboys last season.
Last season Robinson rushed for 1,127-yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 5.8-yards every time he was handed the football. That all came behind a veteran, if not underperforming, offensive line. Robinson has proven he can do a lot on his own, but imagine what he could do with some help.
“Now ultimately, we’ve got to put it all together,” Sarkisian added on the offensive line. “I think them coming on board has created a lot of healthy
competition, not only for themselves but for the returners. So, I think twofold, competition should bring the best out of all of us, not only for those young guys but for the older players. We're excited about the addition of them. I think the summer so far has been good to us, and then we've got to see how far we can take them come fall camp and come when the season rolls around.”
It all still sounds kind of iffy, kind of like there is hope the offensive line will be okay. I don’t have to tell any hardened college football fan what is to be expected if you start two true freshmen offensive linemen, maybe more, what the outcome can be. Few freshmen start, and fewer play well on the offensive line.
That said, the man who will put his body in the hands of those pups up front said when asked what his level of concern was …
“No concern at all, “They are right where they need to be. They are working at their own pace, but now that we can work out with the coaches and on our own, they are learning so much stuff and becoming the best they can be.”
They have roughly nine weeks to learn as much as they can before Alabama and that defensive line with Will Anderson, Byron Young Jr., and D.J. Dale and linebackers Dallas Turner and Henry To’oto’o come to Austin.
