Texas HC Steve Sarkisian makes opinion on the new recruiting calendar clear

Steve Sarkisian is among the most talked-about coaches in the country currently. As the Longhorns enter their first season in the Southeastern Conference, Sarkisian will be facing the spotlight to continue their momentum from last year.

However, Steve Sarkisian has been under the radar during the offseason as well for not securing many commitments compared to teams like Alabama, Georgia and Oregon.

One of the many changes the college football world is going to see is the recruitment calendar heading into the next season.Till last year, the signing period used to take place in mid-December, after the transfer portal opened.

Now, the signing period has been moved to run from Dec. 4-6, while the first transfer portal window is expected to open on Dec. 9.

Talking about the new recruiting calendar at the THSCA Convention and Coaching School, Steve Sarkisian opened up about its positive effects:

“I kind of like the calendar we’re having this year with that signing period in early December, and then get into the portal, because I still think we’re protecting the high school player. Last year, I think the high school player was not protected when the signing date was in the middle of December (Dec. 20). The portal opened [on Dec. 4], and some schools were dropping high school kids because they were taking the portal kid.

“I think now we’re still protecting the high school kid in early December, and then we can get ourselves into the portal. I think I’m a little bit more hesitant than others to have a signing date in the summer when you’re not even giving a kid the chance to play his senior year of high school football.”

Steve Sarkisian weighs in on Arch Manning's friendship with Quinn Ewers

The Longhorns find themselves in a good spot going into the 2024 college football season with one of the deepest quarterback rooms in the nation, especially because of talent powerhouses like Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning.

Manning has attracted a lot of fans' attention owing to his famous last name, especially after his electrifying spring game performance.

Ewers was expected to declare for the 2024 NFL draft, passing the torch to Manning to take the stage and perform in his second year with the Longhorns.

However, Ewers returned for another year, which means another year of waiting for Manning. Contrary to what many assume, Steve Sarkisian weighed in on the quarterbacks' friendship:

"These guys are great, great friends. Nobody gets along better, there's a real level of appreciation for what each guy is doing. Because they know the journey, they know the path, they know how we coach him."