The Quest for a Gateway Quarterback: Analyzing Steve Sarkisian’s Search at Texas
The University of Texas Longhorns football program has always been at the heart of the college football conversation. From its storied history to the constant spotlight on its head coach, Steve Sarkisian, expectations are high. After taking over as the Longhorns’ head coach in 2021, Sarkisian’s main task was to rebuild a program that had lost its way and return it to prominence. One of the most crucial elements of that rebuilding effort is finding the right quarterback—a “gateway quarterback” who can lead the team to success.
However, Sarkisian’s search for a quarterback to lead the Longhorns has faced multiple challenges, both on and off the field. Despite his reputation as a quarterback guru, Sarkisian has yet to settle on a consistent starting quarterback in his tenure at Texas, and this remains a glaring issue for the program.
The “Gateway Quarterback” Concept
Before diving into the specific issues surrounding Sarkisian’s quarterback search, it’s essential to understand what exactly a “gateway quarterback” is in the context of college football. In simple terms, a gateway quarterback is a player who serves as the key to unlocking a program’s potential. They are the cornerstone of the offense, capable of executing complex schemes and leading the team to victories, often in big moments.
For Texas, finding such a quarterback is vital because the Longhorns have been inconsistent at the position for years. The search for a transcendent quarterback who can restore the Longhorns to national championship contention is central to Steve Sarkisian’s vision for the program. Ideally, a gateway quarterback has a combination of leadership, skill, and poise, along with the ability to win games when it matters most.
Sarkisian’s Background and the Promise of a Quarterback Revolution
Sarkisian’s hiring in 2021 was greeted with high hopes, particularly because of his previous work with quarterbacks. Before coming to Texas, Sarkisian had a successful tenure at Alabama as the offensive coordinator, where he worked with the legendary Mac Jones and helped guide the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2020. Under Sarkisian, Jones flourished in a high-octane offense, and many viewed Sarkisian as one of the top offensive minds in college football.
Given this background, the expectation was that Sarkisian would bring an innovative offensive system to Texas that would both develop quarterbacks and elevate the program’s overall performance. But the search for a “gateway quarterback” hasn’t gone as smoothly as anticipated.
The Struggles at Quarterback
Since taking the helm at Texas, Sarkisian has cycled through several quarterbacks, none of whom have managed to consistently seize control of the position. In 2021, the Longhorns began the season with Hudson Card as the starting quarterback, but it didn’t take long for freshman Quinn Ewers to make his presence felt.
Ewers, a highly regarded recruit from Southlake Carroll, had a ton of hype surrounding him as he came to Texas. However, after an injury to Ewers in the 2022 season opener against Alabama, Hudson Card took over again. The inconsistency between the two quarterbacks became evident, and the Longhorns struggled to find rhythm offensively.
Sarkisian’s decision to not settle on one quarterback during the 2022 season created confusion and a lack of cohesion within the offense. The duality of Card and Ewers undermined any attempts to build offensive continuity, and the Longhorns missed opportunities against key Big 12 rivals. The quarterback carousel became a problem that overshadowed any positive elements in the program.
The issue of stability at quarterback continued into the 2023 season. Ewers eventually took control of the starting role, but inconsistencies persisted. The offense underperformed at times, leading to questions about Sarkisian’s ability to properly develop his quarterbacks and create a cohesive offensive system that was built around one signal-caller. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Ewers and the Texas offense struggled to make the leap to elite status, and the team fell short of the lofty expectations set for the program.
Why the Search Has Been So Challenging
Sarkisian’s quarterback search has been fraught with difficulties, stemming from several factors. First and foremost, recruiting a top-tier quarterback who is both capable and ready to play immediately is a challenge in itself. Texas is often a landing spot for highly ranked quarterbacks, but not all of them work out as expected. The immense pressure placed on these young players, combined with the high expectations surrounding the program, can hinder their development and overall performance.
Second, the Longhorns have faced significant competition within the Big 12 and nationally. Other programs in the conference, such as Oklahoma, Baylor, and Kansas State, have shown that a quarterback doesn’t necessarily need to be a five-star recruit to succeed. Some of these programs have managed to develop under-the-radar quarterbacks into stars, which makes the Longhorns’ inability to solidify the position even more glaring.
Third, Steve Sarkisian’s system itself requires a quarterback who can thrive in a sophisticated offensive scheme. Sarkisian’s offensive approach is predicated on a diverse passing game, relying on a quarterback who is capable of making quick reads, throwing accurately under pressure, and managing the complexities of the playbook. Not every quarterback is equipped to handle this level of responsibility immediately, and as a result, quarterbacks like Ewers and Card have struggled with consistency.
The Lack of Consistency
One of the most concerning elements of Sarkisian’s quarterback situation is the lack of consistency in the position. Consistency is key for a quarterback, as it allows a team to build trust and continuity. But the frequent switching between quarterbacks, coupled with Sarkisian’s inability to settle on one, has hurt Texas on the field.
In the 2023 season, for example, while Ewers showed promise, there were moments where he faltered in big games. Against top opponents, such as Alabama and Kansas State, Texas’ offense struggled to generate the same level of playmaking that was expected from a team with championship aspirations. Ewers demonstrated flashes of brilliance but also seemed to lack the level of composure and consistency needed to lead the team to sustained success.
This lack of stability has hurt the Longhorns’ ability to execute in key moments. The offensive line and running game have had their own struggles, but without a reliable and consistent quarterback, the team has been unable to overcome these challenges.
Moving Forward: A Clear Need for Stability
The key for Steve Sarkisian moving forward is to settle on a quarterback who can lead Texas with consistency and poise. Whether it is Quinn Ewers or a different player, the Longhorns need stability at the position to compete for championships. The high expectations surrounding the program, combined with the immense pressure on the starting quarterback, require a player who can manage the offense and make plays when it counts.
The development of a quarterback who can function as the “gateway” to Texas’ future success is critical. The team needs a player who can lead the Longhorns into national title contention and play at a consistently high level. Whether Sarkisian decides to continue with Ewers or turn to another option, the key is ensuring that the quarterback position is stabilized for the long-term future of the program.
