Steve Sarkisian Expresses Optimism and Confidence as Texas Longhorns Complete First Summer Practice Ahead of Highly Anticipated 2025 Season
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian cut a confident and composed figure as he addressed the media following the Longhorns’ first official summer practice in Austin. After guiding Texas to a Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance last season, Sarkisian enters the 2025 campaign with sky-high expectations—and judging by his demeanor and tone on Wednesday, he’s embracing them fully.
While the summer heat bore down on the practice fields, Sarkisian appeared energized, praising his team’s preparation, effort, and discipline in what was the first of many high-intensity practices leading into the season. “I thought we came out with the right energy and attention to detail,” Sarkisian said. “There’s always going to be stuff to clean up, but for Day 1, I was impressed.”
There’s good reason for the optimism. Texas returns a deep and experienced roster, anchored by veteran quarterback Quinn Ewers, a reloaded receiving corps, a physical offensive line, and a defense filled with both proven stars and emerging talent. Sarkisian, now in his fourth year at the helm, has slowly but steadily rebuilt Texas into a legitimate national contender. This season marks a new chapter as the Longhorns make their long-anticipated move to the Southeastern Conference, and Sarkisian made it clear the team is approaching the challenge head-on.
“We’ve known this transition was coming for a while,” he said. “We’ve been recruiting, training, and preparing for SEC-level competition. Now it’s here, and I think our guys are ready to embrace the moment.”
That moment carries with it not just logistical adjustments—new opponents, new travel routines, different scheduling—but also a completely different level of weekly competition. Gone are the days of coasting through conference play. Every SEC game is a battle, and Sarkisian is well aware that Texas must be both physically and mentally tougher than ever before.
But from the way he talked about his team, it’s evident he believes they are up to the task. Ewers, now a seasoned junior and fully entrenched as the face of the offense, looked sharp in practice. Sarkisian highlighted his poise, improved footwork, and leadership. “Quinn’s in command,” he said. “You can see it in the way he communicates, the way he processes things at the line. He’s taken another step, and that’s huge for us.”
That leadership from Ewers is especially critical given the changes around him. Texas lost top wide receivers Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell to the NFL Draft, but the program has restocked with talent. Sarkisian praised sophomore Johntay Cook and Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond as players ready to step into larger roles. “We’ve got playmakers,” Sarkisian said. “It’s not about replacing one guy. It’s about elevating the group. We feel good about the guys we have.”
The offensive line, a cornerstone of Texas’ success last year, is expected to be another strength. Four starters return, and the unit is widely viewed as one of the most physically imposing in the country. The competition for the right tackle spot is one of the few position battles still up in the air, but Sarkisian emphasized the depth and versatility in the room. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can play multiple spots,” he noted. “That’s going to be big for us as we go through the season.”
Defensively, Texas enters 2025 with confidence as well. Even with key departures like Byron Murphy II to the NFL, the Longhorns return impact players such as linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., cornerback Terrance Brooks, and defensive tackle Alfred Collins. The defensive line, anchored by the massive and disruptive T’Vondre Sweat, remains a focal point. Sarkisian praised new defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen for the energy and structure he’s brought to that side of the ball.
“Coach Nansen’s done a great job connecting with the players and establishing clear expectations,” Sarkisian said. “We want to be aggressive, we want to tackle well, and we want to finish. Today was a good start.”
Though this was only the first summer practice, the attention to detail was unmistakable. Sarkisian and his staff moved quickly through periods, transitioning from position drills to 7-on-7 and team periods with efficiency and purpose. Players hustled to stations, coaches barked commands, and the tempo stayed high throughout. Sarkisian said that intentional pace is part of setting the tone for the season ahead.
“In this league, if you’re not sharp every single snap, you’ll get exposed,” he said. “We’re building habits now that have to carry us all year long.”
Another theme Sarkisian returned to throughout his media availability was leadership—not just from coaches or star players, but from the entire locker room. “You win with player-led teams,” he said. “We’ve got guys who understand what it takes, who’ve been through the wars. Now they’re helping set the standard for everyone else.”
Those veterans will be essential in navigating a grueling schedule that includes matchups against SEC heavyweights like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. Sarkisian said the team isn’t looking too far ahead, choosing instead to focus on stacking good days in practice. But make no mistake: the program has national championship aspirations, and the coaching staff isn’t shying away from that.
“This is Texas,” Sarkisian said plainly. “We expect to compete at the highest level. That’s why these guys came here.”
Indeed, Texas has recruited at an elite level under Sarkisian, landing multiple top-five classes and developing homegrown talent. The depth across the roster is the best it’s been in over a decade, and there’s a belief internally that the program’s foundation is finally stable enough to sustain long-term success.
The biggest obstacle now may be managing the expectations. Texas is ranked No. 4 in most preseason polls and is widely considered a favorite to win the SEC West in its debut year. That level of hype can sometimes lead to distractions or added pressure, but Sarkisian said the focus remains inward.
“We talk about blocking out the noise,” he said. “What matters is how we work every day. The rankings, the predictions—that stuff doesn’t help you win games. Execution does.”
Still, the buzz around Austin is undeniable. Fans, boosters, and alumni can feel that something different is happening. There’s a maturity and discipline to this team that goes beyond just talent. It’s the product of three years of building a culture, installing systems, and fostering relationships. Sarkisian, now more comfortable and confident than ever, seems like a man who knows what he has and what it can become.
That belief was on full display Wednesday. Whether watching his players from behind the line of scrimmage, correcting a stance, or praising a well-executed drill, Sarkisian looked in full command. His voice was firm, but not frantic. His approach was energetic, but focused. He smiled often, encouraged often, and made sure the tone of the day remained competitive yet controlled.
“You only get so many chances to coach a team like this,” he said. “We’ve got a special group, and our job is to maximize every day.”
That message has clearly resonated with the players, many of whom spoke afterward about the increased intensity and focus in this year’s camp. The veterans are teaching the younger guys. The coaches are demanding precision. The standard has been raised—and not just in theory, but in daily execution.
As the Longhorns head into the heart of summer camp, Sarkisian knows the real work is just beginning. The practices will get longer. The heat will take its toll. The mental grind will test the team’s resolve. But for now, he’s encouraged. Encouraged by the energy, the buy-in, and the clarity of purpose.
“First day’s in the books,” he said, surveying the empty field behind him. “Now we’ve got to be even better tomorrow.”
For a team with championship dreams, that’s exactly the mindset it’ll take. And if Wednesday was any indication, Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns are right on schedule.
