Steve Sarkisian just came off with a playoff semifinal appearance and is entering with high confidence in the 2025 season. The semifinal loss against Ohio State might have stung a bit since the Longhorns were initially in charge but couldn’t quite stand against the Buckeyes’ 13-play onslaught for 88 yards that ended with a touchdown by Quinshon Judkins. There were several problems in the Texas setup that day, problems that the Longhorns are looking to avoid now.

Sarkisian has done everything to avoid repeating the debacle against Ohio State. The man has roped in a 1st-ranked 2025 class with some of the best mouthwatering prospects. The number 1 safety in the country, Jonah Williams, sits on top with Justus Terry, the number 2 DL in the nation. Moreover, Lance Jackson, another second-ranked Edge, along with Kaliq Lockett, another second-ranked position receiver, promises a lot for the upcoming season. So, with these prospects, Steve Sarkisian might feel confident about his team’s chances of winning the national championship, right?

Justin Wells, a Longhorns insider, recently dropped a revelation that literally says “Sarkisian still isn’t satisfied with his team“. The insider speaking on ON3 Recruits’ YouTube channel provided the update. “Sark will always look for the best player available. Even if you don’t need they don’t necessarily need them. If the new college football playoff taught us anything last year, it’s that you need depth.”

The statement isn’t a hollow one. The head coach, while he had the best class in the nation, still hasn’t used up all his ‘transfer cards’. Steve Sarksisan has so far just roped in 6 transfer players, and only Brad Spence and Emmett Mosley look like ‘starter’ talents. Moreover, with the transfer portal being wide open now, the head coach would be more inclined to jump in for one or more prospects. But which position will he look for?

Justin Wells expanded on the positions coach Steve Sarkisian could look for in the 2025 season. “Don’t be surprised if they look at some other positions, depending on who the best player available could be. But right now, it’s shoring up wide receiver, kicker is the next most important, tight end, and potentially an offensive lineman, and maybe another defensive tackle“. So, all in all, these 5 positions look to be replenished by the Texan.

The left guard position does look like it needs some depth additions. Currently, Neto Umeozulu and Nate Kibble are the only two players claiming that position, and Sarkisian might need some value additions in that regard. Moreover, the only OT in the 2025 class is Nick Brooks, who at 6’7″ and 360 lbs does look solid, but as a freshman, may need some time to gel in with the team. Other positions like the tight end may not be too much of a concern, as they have Jordan Washington as the starter and have three more players, including the incoming freshman Emaree Winston, in the pipeline. Other positions like wide receiver may need one more look, as we saw some attrition in it last winter. Moreover, a recent revelation also signals the same.

Steve Sarkisian faces a tough reality in recent news

Another reason Steve Sarkisian might be bringing in portal players would be to account for the potential attrition in the portal. If the winter transfer window is any reference, then the head coach will need to act fast. Players like Johntay Cook II, LBs Tausili Akana to BYU, and Derion Gullette to Mississippi State all departed at the time. In the now ongoing spring window, some of the players have decided to do the same.

According to recent reports by OrangeBloods’ Anwar Richardson, the Texas RB Reid Watkins has decided to enter the portal. The player had arrived just last year and appeared in just one game against Louisiana Monroe, finishing with 15 yards. Apart from the RB, other players like Freddie Dubose (WR) and Reece Beauchamp (WR) also have opted to enter the portal and will be seeking pastures anew.

More than 10 players registered and moved to a new program last winter, so Sarkisian might be mending his roof beforehand by tapping into the portal. But, before that happens, the head coach would need to take care of his existing players and make them stay put. If he can do that, then Sarkisian ultimately can run for the Natty in 2025.