Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is finally expanding his notoriously tight wide receiver rotation after years of speculation, with four backup wideouts officially earning their way into the “circle of trust.” This has been the persistent preseason storyline, and now we know for sure the depth chart is getting a serious shake-up in Austin.
Sark’s “Trust” Philosophy Shakes Up the Top Tier
Sarkisian has always put the onus on his players to earn their playing time, making it clear it’s not about him picking a number of guys, but them proving they belong. He said it himself: “I think ultimately the players kind of determine that.” The top three receivers, junior transfer Cam Coleman, junior Ryan Wingo, and junior Emmett Mosley, are absolute locks and need no introduction. They are firmly in Sarkisian and position coach Chris Jackson’s trust circle. But here’s the kicker, folks: even *their* snaps are tight because Sark loves to use two tight ends. So, for anyone else to get in, they’ve really got to prove their worth, not just manage in-game load for the stars. And now, four of the six backups have done just that!
Backups Earning Their Stripes: McCutcheon and Lockett Step Up
Daylan McCutcheon, the sophomore, has totally earned that trust. Sarkisian said McCutcheon “knows what we do, how we do, why we do,” which is huge for a young player. Last season, he put up seven catches for 74 yards, showing off his polished route running, quickness, and strong hands. He’s not just a flash in the pan; he’s productive. Then there’s Kaliq Lockett, who has come a ridiculously long way. This guy is getting “a ton of special teams” reps right now, so many they’re managing his snap count on offense. That’s a wild admission because Lockett was actually *held off* special teams when he redshirted last season. He flashed some serious ball skills with a 30-yard touchdown catch in the Citrus Bowl win against Michigan, though it was on a go route, so the nuanced route running is still a work in progress. Still, he’s making a name for himself.
Berkhalter’s Experience Is a Game Changer
And let’s talk about Sterling Berkhalter. This guy is a veteran presence, a transfer from Wake Forest, Cincinnati, and NC A&T. He knows “systematically what we do,” giving Sarkisian some real trust in him. Berkhalter brings a ton of experience, nearly 1,400 career snaps across four seasons at three programs, with 76 receptions for 1,083 yards and six touchdowns. Sarkisian highlighted his experience, mentioning he played a similar system at Wake Forest, had a productive year, and brings maturity. He’s a “no-nonsense guy,” very coachable, and clearly a smart pickup for the Longhorns.
With four new faces cracking the wide receiver rotation, Sarkisian’s offense is clearly getting more versatile. This is a massive development for the Longhorns as they head into non-conference play, giving them more options and keeping defenses guessing. Get ready, Longhorn fans, this season is shaping up to be interesting!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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