AUSTIN, Texas – The annual Texas Football Orange-White Spring Game and events of that weekend is a time to bring the UT community together to get a first glimpse at what lies ahead for the program, as well as celebrate what it means to be a Longhorn. Several Texas Football alumni were among the thousands at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium last Saturday and at the Letterwinners Reunion functions of the week and they gave their thoughts on the atmosphere as well as what's ahead for the Longhorns.
It was great having our Letterwinners back on campus! 🤘 @txtassociation pic.twitter.com/OJcuWPJBku
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 23, 2022
Vince Young, quarterback (2003-05)
One thing (former Texas) Coach (Mack) Brown taught us was just to appreciate our fans. These are the people yelling for us. These are the people who are going to be celebrating, crying and cheering for your team. When Coach Brown was here, he always made sure today was about fan appreciation. Don't worry about football, don't worry about that, we're going to talk about that in camp. Right now, just appreciate these people supporting you. That's what I'm thinking about right now, that's why you see me doing what I'm doing.
Coach Sarkisian knows what he's doing. He's been around other head coaches across the world; this is his time. To see him here embracing the Longhorn nation and then making sure these young [players] take care of their responsibilities, that's a major, major thing. There's so much history at The University of Texas that our young generation has to understand. When you come to The University of Texas, don't come just for football, come here to graduate from college. Win championships if you have the opportunity and when you're not playing find the job you want and build those long-term relationships. That's what I love about this university, they take care of the long term, not just the short term.
Selvin Young, running back (2002-06)
Today is a great day. The environment for us former guys to come out and see the hard work the guys have been putting in throughout this offseason in the spring right now.
I really do love (what Texas head coach Steve) Sarkisian is doing. I love the face of a guy who knows what he wants and knows how to get it out of the young guys. I'm expecting great things from the leadership. As a former Longhorn, I'm looking to see two and three deep, I'm looking to see the guys that are coming in next, ready to go just as strong and hard as the guys in front of them, because I understand that's how you win a championship.
Mike Adams, wide receiver (1992-96)
I'm very excited to see what the Horns look like. It's good to see the atmosphere with a lot of people out here to cheer the guys on and check out the team.
I think (Coach Sarkisian) is going in the right direction. He brings a great pedigree from a bunch of different places. Obviously, he's going to need time to build our program to get it where I think he can take it. It's just going to take a little patience. A lot of recruits are coming, they want to come here. Why wouldn't you want to come here? You got the best staff and support – it's definitely one of the best places in the country.
Derrick Johnson, linebacker (2001-04)
Oh man, I'm so excited to see the Horns. Last year wasn't quite the year we wanted and at the end of the day we are Texas and our standards are high. Everybody's hyped up and there's good energy out here. Everyone believes in Sark. I believe in Sark. The fans believe in Sark. The players believe in Sark, which is the biggest compliment. It's good to see these young guys competing today.
Culture is everything and is something that lasts for a while. Sark's a younger guy, but he's an old school football coach who was a great player in his day, too. It hasn't been perfect but you can build from the ground up. We're all pulling for Sark.
Justin Blalock, offensive lineman (2002-06)
This is the culmination of practice, getting to know each other, incorporating new ideas, and all those sorts of things. I'm excited to see how well they take it from the practice field and chalkboard to live action.
I'm very excited to see how Coach Sarkisian translates his vision of a program over to (Texas Football). He's a great guy and I've enjoyed hearing him lay out his plan. I'm looking forward to next season.
Cory Redding, defensive end (1999-2002)
It's always good to be back on the Forty Acres. I like this time of year; you get the football juices going again. To be out on the field, to see Coach Sarkisian's philosophy and mentality, to see who's on Sark's team for a second year is what I really want to see. I want to see mental toughness, finishing plays, not being afraid to take risks on offense and being dominant on defense. To have the offensive line or defensive line push and control the line of scrimmage is always the name of the game to win football games. I want to see growth from last year to this year.
That really lit a fire in me because that's the mentality. That's how you play the game of football. Sark has done a great job with the culture he's created here with tight player bonds. That's how you play the game of football. They have a great facility where they can interact, have fun with each other and get to know each other. The more you know your teammates, the better you can perform on the field. Sark has done a great job making sure these guys stand toe to toe, fight for one another and just play hard no matter what. That is winning football.
Jackson Jeffcoat, defensive end (2010-13)
I'm excited for the game and to see what the program is going to look like going into next year. There is a lot of talent here and a lot to look forward to.
Meeting with Coach Sark, I was able to see his passion to be great and it seems like the guys are feeding off of him. These guys are hungry and understand it's time to work. It's always great to come back to UT and experience the love and the place where I grinded.
Tony Hills, offensive tackle (2003-07)
I think they're trending in the right direction. At the end of the day, you don't know what you have until you get out there, but I like what Coach Sark is building, I like the culture, at the end of the day he's a winning coach – he knows what winning looks like.
They have a great group of players out there, and I'm sure the coaches would agree, it's about what you do in between those lines. I think if their able to find the right chemistry, put the right people together, then Texas is going to have special this year.
Leonard Davis, offensive tackle (1997-2000)
I like what I'm seeing from the players, there are guys playing with heart and the winning mentality – building confidence. If you can play with confidence, you can compete with anybody. I'm seeing guys that have that and I think that's going to be a big del going forward.
The culture is really positive, for a period of time the expectations haven't been met, so I think from what I've been seeing it's been very positive for us. Coach Sarkisian wants to win – having the staff and the players buying in – once everybody buys in, then things are going to start happening. Coach Sarkisian and this team have bright days ahead.
Peter Gardere, quarterback (1989-92)
Coach Sarkisian had done a great job – the first year is always tough, you don't have the guys that you recruited, but I like the changes that he's made and the guys that he's brought in, so he's doing the right things.
Marquis Goodwin, wide receiver (2009-12)
I'm excited about what's taking place. We added some depth at several positions, and as a receiver, I love to see that room flourish and grow, get more experience and get some ballers.
There's been a lot of change, and I know with change you have to be patient and let things work its way into what it's supposed to be. I'm excited for (Coach Sarkisian) being here; I know his history – he's a winner, he's been in winning programs, so he knows how to win.
Steve Sarkisian
Our lettermen and fans are so awesome. Honestly, I know I said it early when I took the job, how humbled I am to be the Head Football Coach at The University of Texas. But when you go through a difficult year like we just had, the support that you get from all the people that are just die-hard Longhorns, and bleed burnt orange through and through, is so important. The reception I've gotten, my wife's gotten, it's been tremendous, and I want nothing more than to see them enjoy the success that we know we can have, for the supporters, our fans and the guys that have played here before us and coached here before us. We know the standard at Texas. Our lettermen set the standard that we're striving to achieve, that's the bar. The constant support they've given us and their passion for the program are huge. It was fun to have a special weekend for them, to thank them for everything and give them a chance to see their team.
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