This 5-star stat proves Steve Sarkisian is changing everything for Texas football

Texas is hot on the trail right now. After a memorable week in July, the Longhorns class is rated sixth in the nation according to 247Sports. 

Texas has generally recruited well over the years, at least according to the rankings. Whether it was Mack Brown, Charlie Strong, Tom Herman or now Sarkisian, none of them were actively BAD at recruiting. But they didn't always recruit the RIGHT players; Strong and Herman in particular. 

But Sarkisian has elevated the game. The process by which he has expanded the program's recruiting base while attempting to remain true to the foundation is admirable.

  Step 1: Win Recruiting in the State

Sarkisian wants to recruit the top players in the Lone Star State. It makes sense because there are a ton of them. When developed right, these players become the cornerstone of the program. They stay home because they want to win for Texas and when they head to the NFL, they go there representing Texas. Sarksian touched on this when he was the keynote speaker at the Texas High School Coaches Association meeting in San Antonio.

"We had 23 draft picks the last two years, which is the most in the country," he said. "Of those 23 players drafted, 19 of those players are from the state of Texas. So this is vitally important for us and our ability to recruit our state."

Step 2: Win Recruiting in the Region

Much like the way man can't live off steak and potatoes alone, Sarkisian realized that in-state recruiting alone doesn't make a roster that can compete for championships. The Texas coach was part of successful recruiting operations when he was an assistant at USC under Pete Carroll and at Alabama under Nick Saban. He knows that you have to be able to compete for the top players in the country regardless of where they live. 

​Texas' entry into the SEC has helped Sarkisian expand the recruiting base. Hiring assistants like running backs coach Chad Scott and director of scouting Errin Joe, put people on the staff that have cultivated relationships throughout the southeastern region for years. 

Of the five highest-rated players in Texas' class, two are from Florida and the other three are from Texas, California and Georgia respectively. Each player is rated among the top five prospects in the state. It's not just getting out-of-state prospects, but getting ones that can be integral pieces of a championship roster. 

Step 3: Win on the Field

Everyone loves a winner and Sarkisian is building one in Texas. He is 25-5 over the past two seasons, reaching the College Football Playoff in consecutive years. After winning the Big XII conference in 2023, some wondered if the pressure cooker in the SEC was going to be too much for the Longhorns and all they did was reach the SEC Championship Game in year one. 

By winning big in out the gate, Sarkisian showed the top prospects in the region that the foundation has already been set and Texas is a program that's set up to contend for a long time.