4 Texas players that are great fits with Steve Sarkisian

Anthony Cook, DB

Among the most improved players of this tough season for Sark and the Longhorns is the former highly-touted four-star recruit and senior defensive back Anthony Cook. While the Texas defense has struggled under the direction of new co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Pete Kwiatkowski throughout Big 12 play, Cook has remained one of the steadier players.

Through 11 games played this season, Cook has registered a career-best 30 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Outside of Cook’s pass defense wavering a bit in the loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers on the road in Morgantown last weekend, he’s played some very consistent football of late.

Sark and the Longhorns staff will need players that are steady sources of solid production on each side of the ball like Cook moving forward. Getting Cook back for the 2022 season would be massive for the Texas defense if that’s what he ultimately decides heading into next offseason.

Cook is one of the most sure-tacklers and best run defenders on this Texas defense in 2021. He’s someone that can set the tone for this defense for at least another year and show how it’s done to some of the younger players coming into the program.

If the Longhorns do have as much roster turnover on the defensive side of the ball as a lot of fans expect next year, then getting Cook back would be invaluable to Sark and his staff.