AUSTIN, Texas – After a 5-7 start to his head coaching career at Texas, Steve Sarkisian has guided the Longhorns to 33 wins over the last three seasons and brought the burnt orange and white back to national prominence.
While Sarkisian has recruited a litany of talented players, resulting in the program having back-to-back years of double-digit players selected in the NFL Draft, there are four who have been especially crucial in putting Texas among the college football elite.
Here's a look my hypothetical Mount Rushmore of Texas football players who have suited up for Sarkisian over his first four years at the helm.
Bijan Robinson – Running Back
Texas Career: 2020-2022
Stats Under Sarkisian: 453 carries for 2,707 yards, 45 receptions for 609 yards, 31 total touchdowns
On Robinson: As a 247Sports five-star recruit and the top-ranked running back in the class of 2020, Tucson, Arizona native Bijan Robinson was a key part of the framework in guiding the Longhorns back to national prominence.
After beginning his career under then-Texas head coach Tom Herman in 2020, Robinson became a full-time starter playing for Sarkisian. Robinson notched his first 1,000-yard season as a sophomore, earning all-Big 12 status after 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns on 195 attempts.
Robinson showcased an ability to be an all-purpose back, hauling in 26 passes for nearly 300 yards and four scores through the air during Sarkisian's first year at the helm.