No matter what last year’s 5-7 record may show, there’s little doubt that the Texas Longhorns have elite offensive talent this season.
However, some of these talents have yet to fully emerge, leaving room to wonder who will be the top candidate for Texas’ breakthrough this season.
Earlier this week, coach Steve Sarkisian hinted at who he thinks is ready for a major breakthrough.
“I love (Ja’Tavion) Sanders,” Sarkeesian said. “Probably one of, if possible, the most improved player on our team from last year to this time. He’s a big, physically fit guy… he probably has the best hands on our team. catches. He’s a guy we definitely really like.”
247Sports has released their roster of 13 players ready to breakout this season and named Sanders as the pick for Texas and the only tight end on the roster.
Here’s what the analysis had to say about Sanders:
Is it fair to consider the former five-star player a breakthrough? In this case, I would say yes. Ja’Tavion Sanders, a big-time post-high school job seeker, only played 28 snaps like a real freshman. Its workload will increase significantly in 2022. There is a deep tight room in Texas, but the Longhorns are expected to operate mostly 12-man (2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB), providing plenty of snaps for this group. And Sanders, at 6’4″ and 249 pounds, will be used as a blocker and as a pass catcher.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkeesian recently called Sanders “the most improved player” on the team from last year to the present. Sarkisian also said that Sanders has the best hands on the team.
Scroll to continue
While Sanders only recorded one catch in his freshman year, just look at his high school stats and it’s not hard to see why he could be an integral part of the offense.
In his senior season at Denton Ryan, he recorded 63 receptions for 1,161 yards and 16 touchdowns. Sanders averaged an impressive 18.4 yards per reception, showing he can turn any game into a big game once the ball is in his hands.
There is no doubt that Sanders has the potential to become an elite tight end. If he can take the next step in his second year with Euvers as a quarterback, then it will be even harder for opponents to stop this offense in Texas every week.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
Want the latest news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click here
Want to join the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Longhorns Country Bulletin Board community today!
Follow the Longhorns Country at Twitter as well as Facebook.
Be sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here to listen.