Press conferences are often not very insightful for most football teams. The opposite is true with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Sarkisian is usually contemplative and genuine in his response to questions asked by Texas media. Out of those responses, one can gather what the second-year head coach is hinting at heading into the 2022 season.

There is no tangible proof Texas is going through a philosophical overhaul on defense, but one can gather from his offseason statements that change is on its way.

The great offensive mind has discussed various changes in defensive mentality all offseason, and recent quotes say a great deal about the core values of his defense.

As for the offense, Sarkisian detailed how position battles can be won. Here are a few quotes that inspire trust heading into the first month of football.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said DTs Byron Murphy and Vernon Broughton are “exploding” off the ball. He said the offense can feel Keondre Coburn too. Sweat and Collins have flashed but need more consistency.

— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) August 8, 2022

Explosion from defensive tackles would be a welcome sight for the Longhorns defense this year. Last season, Texas was slow off the ball with shockingly high pad level. The regression along the defensive line was staggering. After passive play up front led to an easily manipulated line of scrimmage, Texas is aiming for more aggressive defensive play. It will be interesting to see how that aggression manifests itself on the field.

Steve Sarkisian on the defense, said the first order of business was figuring how to play tighter coverage in the back end to compliment the pass rush.

— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) July 14, 2022

Texas played soft coverage, with a soft pass rush and a soft box last year. While some act like scheme does not matter, coaches are paid to win a chess match every Saturday. Now it appears Texas is going to get the chess match right, playing tight coverage so the pass rush can get to the quarterback. That’s big news for the defense’s 2022 prospects.

Steve Sarkisian when asked about possibly protecting a QB versus a team like Alabama: "If I feel like I’ve got to protect players from playing against certain opponents, I’m in the wrong business or I’ve recruited the wrong kids. (1/2)"

— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) July 14, 2022

Steve Sarkisian is building a mentally tough football team, and he is doing so by raising the standard at Texas. He is not going to coddle his players. He knows there is no time to waste at Texas.

Players can grow from adversity. The Alabama game will likely present many teaching points for whichever quarterbacks play in the game.

Sark when talking about how much better the #Longhorns can be on the back end defensively with the offseason changes made in personnel: “To do all of that, you’ve got to stop the run first.” #HookEm

— Jeff Howe (@JeffHowe247) July 14, 2022

The Texas run defense disappeared at times last year. Sarkisian appears to be taking steps to avoid that this season. Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey and Jaylan Ford could greatly improve the defense in the running game.

Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said he doesn't anticipate it will take as long to make a quarterback decision between Hudson Card and Quinn Ewers this year as it took last year between Casey Thompson-Card

— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) July 14, 2022

We have talked about what is required of quarterbacks, but its hard to ask Card and Ewers to be decisive if Sarkisian is indecisive. It appears Sarkisian is looking to model what he wants from his quarterbacks in his handling of the quarterback battle.

The decision for Sarkisian is delicate for a number of reasons, but the most important ramification is how it will affect Texas’ team success. The second-year head coach wants to get it right fast and get it right in one try this year.

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2024 running back Bryan Jackson released his top 10 schools on Thursday afternoon.

Sarkisian released a statement regarding Agiye Hall on Friday afternoon.

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