“Steve Sarkisian Plans to Unleash Jeremiah Smith All Over the Field: ‘He’s Not Going to Be Lining Up in One Spot’”
Jeremiah Smith has long been a name that turns heads in college football circles, and now with the Texas Longhorns, he’s about to be deployed in a way that few defensive coordinators are prepared for. When Steve Sarkisian said, “He’s going to be moving around. He’s not going to be lining up in one position all the time,” it wasn’t just coach-speak—it was a warning shot to every defense on the Longhorns’ schedule. The former five-star prospect and arguably the top wide receiver recruit in the nation is not just going to be a traditional X or Z receiver. Sarkisian plans to use him like a chess piece, moving him around formations, putting him in motion, and exploiting every mismatch he can find. This is a new era of offensive versatility at Texas, and Jeremiah Smith is at the heart of it.
Smith has the size, speed, route-running, and catch radius to line up anywhere on the field. Whether it’s out wide, in the slot, or even coming out of the backfield on gadget plays, the Longhorns’ offensive scheme is clearly designed to get him open and into space. Sarkisian has always been known for his creative offensive systems, stretching back to his days at Alabama, where he helped elevate players like DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle by using pre-snap motion and varied alignments. Now, he has another dynamic weapon in Jeremiah Smith, and it’s clear he’s not going to waste the opportunity.
This approach doesn’t just benefit Smith—it affects the entire Longhorns offense. When you have a receiver who can credibly line up anywhere, it forces defenses to declare their coverages. It creates mismatches. Put Smith in the slot and a linebacker has to follow him? That’s a win. Line him up wide and force a safety into coverage? That’s a mismatch. Motion him across the formation and see if the defense is in man or zone? That’s intelligence gathering. Every snap he plays is going to be a diagnostic tool as much as it is a scoring threat. Sarkisian understands this, and it’s why he’s not going to pigeonhole such a rare talent into a single role.
Jeremiah Smith’s skill set makes this kind of deployment possible. He’s not just fast; he’s deceptively quick, with elite burst off the line. His footwork is surgical, giving him the ability to create separation even against elite corners. He has strong hands and body control that allows him to make contested catches, and he’s dangerous after the catch with his vision and strength. In other words, there’s no area of the field where he’s out of place. That versatility is why Sarkisian is confident moving him around, and why opposing defenses are already scrambling to game plan against him.
Texas fans have every reason to be excited. This isn’t just hype—it’s a real commitment to innovation on offense. Too often, elite receivers are wasted in college schemes that use them predictably. Smith isn’t going to fall into that trap. Sarkisian’s plan will test him, but it will also allow him to flourish in ways that prepare him for the NFL. Scouts at the next level love versatility. They love receivers who can process coverage, who can win inside and outside, and who can make plays in motion. Every snap Smith takes from a different position on the field is adding a new layer to his already-impressive résumé.
It also speaks to Smith’s football IQ and work ethic. Not every freshman wide receiver is ready to absorb an entire route tree from multiple positions. Not every player can handle the nuances of playing inside one snap and outside the next. But Smith is clearly different. His understanding of leverage, timing, and spacing is beyond his years. And with the support of Sarkisian and the Longhorns’ offensive staff, he’s being equipped with the tools to become a true positionless weapon.
What’s more, the presence of Jeremiah Smith in such a flexible role has a ripple effect on the rest of the team. Other receivers benefit from the attention he draws. Tight ends find seams in the coverage as safeties shift to account for Smith’s motion. Running backs face lighter boxes as defenders hesitate to commit. Even the quarterback’s job becomes easier when the defense is spread thin by the movement and threat of a player like Smith. He changes the geometry of the field, and in modern football, that’s everything.
Steve Sarkisian is no stranger to building elite offenses. He’s coached Heisman winners, first-round draft picks, and national champions. But even in that context, there’s something different about the way he talks about Jeremiah Smith. The excitement is palpable, and the creativity in his plans suggests that Smith may be the centerpiece of something truly special in Austin. Sarkisian isn’t just thinking about this year—he’s building a foundation for an offensive identity that can contend nationally, and Jeremiah Smith is the first brushstroke on that canvas.
As for Smith, he’s ready for the challenge. He hasn’t shied away from the spotlight since arriving on campus. He’s embraced the expectations, impressed in practice, and already built chemistry with his quarterbacks. He’s studying film, asking questions, and putting in the work that greatness requires. Sarkisian’s comments about moving him around aren’t just tactical—they’re a testament to Smith’s maturity and readiness. There’s a trust there, and it’s earned.
Of course, none of this guarantees success. Football is unpredictable. Defenses adjust. Injuries happen. But the blueprint is in place. The mindset is there. And with Sarkisian calling the plays and Jeremiah Smith executing them, Texas has a weapon that can tilt the field in any game they play. The offensive ceiling is as high as it’s been in years, and it’s because they’re daring to think differently about how to use their talent.
There’s also a broader implication for college football. This kind of approach signals a shift in how elite offensive minds use personnel. The days of static formations and rigid roles are fading. Flexibility is the future. Playmakers like Jeremiah Smith aren’t just wide receivers—they’re offensive engines, and the teams that figure out how to harness that will be the ones competing in the College Football Playoff. Sarkisian sees it, and he’s acting on it. Other coaches will follow, but Texas might be ahead of the curve.
Recruiting is also affected. When high school stars see how Texas is using Jeremiah Smith, it sends a message: come here, and we’ll maximize your talent. Come here, and we won’t put you in a box. That kind of philosophy resonates with today’s athletes. They want to be featured, developed, and prepared for the next level. Sarkisian’s vision for Smith is more than a scheme—it’s a sales pitch, and a powerful one at that.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be pivotal for Texas. With the move to the SEC, every detail matters. Every adjustment could be the difference between winning and losing. And in that crucible, having a dynamic player like Jeremiah Smith being used in multiple ways is a game-changer. The margin for error is slim, but Sarkisian’s willingness to innovate and trust his talent could be the edge the Longhorns need.
The statement, “He’s not going to be lining up in one position all the time,” might seem simple on the surface, but it carries weight. It speaks to strategy, to belief in a player, to a commitment to doing things differently. It’s a recognition that Jeremiah Smith is special—and that simply lining him up on the outside every play would be a waste of generational talent. Sarkisian won’t make that mistake. He’s leaning into Smith’s strengths, and in doing so, he might just unlock the full potential of his entire offense.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how Texas deploys their newest star. There will be growing pains, of course. There will be moments when the timing is off, when the defense guesses right. But over the long haul, the decision to use Smith as a movable weapon will pay dividends. It will frustrate defenses. It will energize fans. And most importantly, it will give Texas a chance to do what it’s always promised—compete at the highest level with a modern, electrifying brand of football.
Jeremiah Smith came to Austin to make an impact. Thanks to Sarkisian’s vision, that impact won’t be limited to a single position on the field. It will be felt everywhere—from the line of scrimmage to the deep post, from the boundary to the slot, from game one to the final whistle of the season. He’s not just a wide receiver. He’s a force. And Texas is going to let him prove it, one versatile snap at a time.
