As the college football offseason kicks into high gear, teams are diligently preparing for the upcoming season, with an emphasis on finalizing staff decisions and rosters while also rethinking offseason strategies. The Texas Longhorns find themselves at a pivotal juncture, seeking to bounce back after two consecutive losses in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
In a recent appearance on the “Up & Adams Show,” Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian tackled a wide range of topics, including the future landscape of his team, the rising star quarterback Arch Manning, and the structure of their spring program.
One of the most intriguing revelations from Sarkisian was that Texas will not hold a traditional spring game this season. This decision, he explained, stems from a combination of factors, notably the significant number of games the Longhorns have participated in over the past two years and the developmental needs of younger players stepping into key roles.
Sarkisian elaborated on this decision, highlighting that the Longhorns have played a taxing total of 30 games over the last two seasons—14 in one year and 16 in the next. Moreover, Texas has seen 25 players invited to the NFL Combine during that timeframe, signaling a steady flow of talent moving on to the next level. With 21 new mid-year high school recruits joining the team, the urgency to develop these young athletes has never been higher.
“We’re taking a different approach this offseason,” Sarkisian noted. “It’s going to lean more towards an NFL-driven model, resembling OTA practices early on. As we transition into the latter part of spring ball, we’ll shift toward more scrimmage formats. Given our limited practice time, I just don’t believe it’s the best use of our resources to roll out a traditional game.”
This strategic pivot not only reflects Sarkisian’s adaptability but also signals a broader evolution within college football itself. Recognizing the changing nature of the game, he aims to ensure that Texas is poised for success come fall.
Texas is not alone in its decision to forego traditional spring games. The USC Trojans have also opted out, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers raised similar considerations, especially in light of challenges like player tampering in recent years as organizations become increasingly strategic about their offseason programs.
Sarkisian’s forward-thinking approach emphasizes the importance of evolving in a dynamic collegiate landscape and could very well set the tone for a successful season for the Longhorns. As they navigate these changes, Texas fans will be closely watching to see if this revamped strategy pays off on the field when the games count.
