The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Video: Allstate Sugar Bowl Media Day
12.30.2023 | Football
Texas Football met with the spoke with the media during the Allstate Sugar Bowl Media Day.
Transcript from the Allstate Sugar Bowl Texas Media Day
HEAD COACH STEVE SARKISIAN: Good morning, everybody. I would, first, like to thank the folks at the Sugar Bowl. This has been a tremendous experience, the hospitality. The efficiency in which they've allowed us to operate and prepare for the ball game has been tremendous. Can't thank them enough. The City of New Orleans, just an unbelievable honor to be here and be part of the College Football Playoff. I know that our team has worked extremely hard to get to this point. We recognize we're playing an extremely good opponent in the University of Washington that is talented, that is well-coached, that is prepared week in and week out. So that's the exciting part, to be part of this final four, to be playing for a shot for a national championship. I think that's why our guys game to The University of Texas. So, the idea that we're here this year, like I said, is a great honor. It's a great accomplishment. We're looking forward to the ball game Monday night.
Q. You've installed Culture Wednesdays, I guess. And I talked to the players. That seemed to resonate with them quite a bit. I'm wondering the idea behind that and what you've shared with the team in those situations.
COACH SARKISIAN: Yeah, I think that we have an adage that culture beats talent. But culture and talent combined is extremely dangerous. So, when you take over a program, you're trying to figure out where are your issues, what are the issues. I don't think anybody ever felt like our issue was a lack of talent or lack of resources. And so, okay, where is the issue? Sometimes it takes a minute to figure that out. I just felt like, culturally, we needed to get better. We needed to get more connected. We needed to get more vulnerable. We needed to get honest with one another so that we played more for one another than playing for ourselves. And to do that, it just felt like it was important for me to show them how and what that looked like. And so, I became very open, transparent, honest. I didn't want them to judge me by what y'all wrote. I wanted them to judge me for who I was. And that's why I've always given my story every year. I tell them exactly my store, where I'm from, how I was raised, where I went to school, where I worked, why I went to rehab, all the things that has transpired in my life to get me to this point so that they could get to know Steve [Sarkisian], the man, as well as the coach. And I was hopeful that that would open the door to them to want to become vulnerable, to want to be honest with one another so that they could have some empathy for one another for what someone has been through to get to this point in their life. And that just started it. I really believe that culture is organic. I don't think it's a sign-up in your team room. I don't think it's a T-shirt that you hand out, that you wear around all summer. I believe it's organic, that it grows naturally. And so we take our time with it. And it's not, hey, we do one culture meeting at the start of training camp and forget about it. We literally do it every single week. We find different topics and different things to talk about. And I really appreciate our players and our staff for buying into that idea. And I think early on, you're trying to figure out what are we doing? How does this relate to football? But I believe it does relate to football. I believe that it equates to getting a fourth-down stop against Kansas State. I believe it relates to a third and 12 conversions against TCU. I believe it relates to a fourth-and-one stop against Houston. In those tough moments that you can count on one another, rely on one another, that it's not just about me. It's about everybody doing their part. And so, like I said, it's been a great experience. I do believe that being a head football coach at our level, I know we're trying to minimize that with the transfer portal and NIL and all these things, but I feel like we have a responsibility to raise these guys and to be quality men in society. And to do that, we have to expose them to these types of conversations, help them along the way, understand there's going to be bumps in the road that, ultimately, when they come out on the other side, they're going look back on this, at their experience at The University of Texas and say, I'm glad I did that because I'm a better father, a better husband, a better friend, a better CEO, a better teammate, whatever it is that they go on to do. Super thankful for these guys for buying into that and for really drilling into it because I think it's changed our program.
Q. Playing off of that, when you talk about guys buying in, I guess who would be some of the guys who were important buy-ins? In other words, maybe guys who bought in and led others to say, "Hey, we've got to get on board with this?"
COACH SARKISIAN: When you look at it, when we got there three years ago, naturally, here is a new head coach, right. What is this going to look like? We're just coming out of COVID. There was a lot of things happening in society. There was social injustice, civil unrest. There was a lot of things going on. And so, I just felt like to be authentic early on was important. Fast forward now three years later, those guys that are still on our team today that were here three years ago all of those guys were critical: Jordan Whittington, T'Vondre Sweat, Byron Murphy II, Xavier Worthy, Jerrin Thompson, Jahdae Barron. I'm naming a few, right? Christian Jones, all those guys that were here, and they're still here when they could have left, could have gone in the portal, that stuck it out, those were the guys that bought in that were critical, that are helping our younger players. There are two guys I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I think were huge in that, was Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson, because I thought those guys really carried the flag for what we were trying to do in our program, when very easily, those two guys could have gone somewhere else. They committed to this thing. And DeMarvion Overshown is in that group. In the end, when we won the Big 12 championship, Roschon and DeMo were there. I said, Man, this is your championship as much as it is these guys that are playing here today, because without those guys, early on, we would not have been able to get to the point where we are today. Now, these three-year players have been critical to that, instilling that culture into our younger players as they come into the program.
Q. I want to ask you about two players specifically and where you've seen the biggest growth in their games from last year to this year. One is T'Vondre [Sweat]. The other is Quinn [Ewers].
COACH SARKISIAN: T'Vondre [Sweat], probably the biggest growth that I've seen in him is his ability to play consistent football for an extended period of time. He always had the flash plays in him, and he still does. We see the blocked extra points. We see the fourth-and-one stops. We see the touchdown catches last week in the championship game. But what I see is a guy who is playing quality football for four quarters and isn't taking plays off. There's a real credit to him that he's found that level of consistency to play at. I think the second thing is him understanding how to lead and what being a leader looks like, and he's always had kind of a polarizing figure in our locker room that way. I think he's taken it and used it to become a really quality leader. I appreciate him because he supports our message. And there's nothing better than when the players in the locker room are supporting the head coach that are your leaders because, naturally, everybody else is going to gravitate to that and want to do the same. Those are probably two things that jump out for him. From Quinn's [Ewers] perspective, I think naturally understanding the system systemically of where, why, and how the ball is supposed to go to where it is supposed to go. I think that started all the way back in January. When we came out of last year's bowl game, I thought Quinn made a real commitment to become a great player. And we all saw him cut the mullet and shave the beard. But what he did with his diet, the work ethic he had, all-winter conditioning, the separate throwing sessions with the wideouts to really be on the same page with those guys, outside of the work that we're requiring them to do, I think all of that added up to he's played at a high level. Those guys around him believe in him. And so, when he went down earlier this year, we knew it was going to be a challenge to get through the next couple of games without him. We found a way to do that. And when he came back, I knew he wasn't quite 100%, but I knew that we would play even better around him because he's the guy that can lift people up. He's finally gotten himself back healthy. I think it's shown here the last couple ballgames of the type of player that he really is. What I also love about him is the bigger the moment, the calmer and cool the guy is. He plays at a really high level when his best is needed. And that's a sign of a really good quarterback.
Q. Everyone knows you as the great play caller. Coach [Kyle] Flood talked about yesterday your ability to change the plays in real time. Players recognize it. They're on the sideline when you get going. This morning, I saw your post, and you said "relentless." When you construct your game plan, is that what you're after and then being relentless for the entire game, not letting up?
COACH SARKISIAN: Well, I think, you know -- I appreciate you following my posts. (Laughter) All I really try to do when we're calling the game is put our players in the best position to be successful so that, hopefully, we can win the ball game. It's natural, as a fan -- I'm that way, too. When I'm the fan, the plays that work, those are the good calls, right? and the plays that don't, why did he call that? So, I try to remove the emotion of it, and I try to call the best plays available to put our players in position to be successful. Sometimes they're the really cool, fun plays. Sometimes they're the not-so-sexy, you run the ball in between the A gap, and you pound it in there because there's some attitude behind that. I think most people would think he's on a roll because I'm calling all the stuff. There are people going every different which way and so on and so forth. Sometimes I'm on a roll when we run it three or four times in a row, because I know we need to get momentum back on our side. I know our defense may need a rest, things of that nature. I just try to think big picture. I try to think just beyond how many points are on the board at the moment. I try to think big picture of what the score is going to be, at the end of the ball game. I love that aspect of the game. I love digging into it. Most people ask, What's your hobby? What I do is my hobby. I love what I get to do every single day. And so "relentless" to me is I just keep digging, I keep going. That doesn't mean you call everything that you dig for, but at least you have a little bit of an understanding of these are all the things that potentially I could do. Here is the plan. This is what we want to get done.
Q. I think ten years ago this month you left Washington after five years there. I know it might seem like a different lifetime after everything that's gone on in your life the last ten years, but when you look back on that, how much of a different person were you there than you are now? And what did you learn from experiences there that now help you at Texas?
COACH SARKISIAN: I would say, first and foremost, I loved my time at the University of Washington. There are great people at that university. There are great people in the city of Seattle. I would not be here today if it weren't for those five years at the University of Washington. If it weren't for Scott Woodward and Mark Emmert and them taking a chance on a guy who had never been a head coach before at 34 years old. I always say when you take over a program and you end up leaving, whether you decide to leave or they decide it's time for you to go, it always goes one of two ways, okay? Is the program in a better spot today than it was when you got here? I think I can unequivocally say that we were able to do that. I was proud of what we were able to accomplish at Washington and the relationships that I was able to forge with the people there, with the players that we recruited. And I'm proud of what they've been able to accomplish since I've left. What Coach [Chris] Petersen was able to come in and do, what Coach [Kalen] DeBoer is doing now. There's a lot of pride in that university, in that football program. Looking back on it, I'm glad I have somewhat of an impact on where they are today, because I felt like that, we did some really good things. I'm very grateful and very thankful for that opportunity. Like I said, I think it shaped who I am today for those five years that I got a chance to have there.
Q. How do you think your team has dealt with the layoff? You will see a team that's playing really well at the end of the season, and they look totally opposite in the bowl game. How do you they'll handle it? When do you want them totally locked in?
COACH SARKISIAN: I hope we were doing good with it. You never know as a coach, right? I feel like that our guys have done a great job when it's really time to dial in to meetings and practice, that they do that. I referenced to them yesterday at the end of practice I love their energy and intensity, the practice we've had. I feel like one thing I've enjoyed, a couple of things the last couple of nights I've gone down around the player hospitality area, and they're all down there together. I think that's a sign of our team, that these guys love to be together. They love hanging with one another. So, I do think they're definitely committed to wanting to play really good football Monday night. Now, ultimately, we have to go do that, right? I think we're in the right frame of mind to make that happen. Tomorrow, when we get to go tomorrow afternoon for the next 24 hours up until the ball game, we'll be pretty dialed in. I say this a lot about our team. We're better when we're a little bit loose. I think that's something I had to figure out about this team. There are certain teams that you have got to make sure the screws are really tight on them. There are other teams you need to make sure they have the ability to be loose, the music needs to play because that puts them in the right frame of mind. I think we're a little bit more towards the team that likes to be loose. When we're loose, when their knuckles are not to wound up and they're allowed to play confident and free football, that's when we're at our best. So, hopefully, that's the frame of mind we're in when it finally comes Monday night at 7:45.
Q. First of all, Chris Del Conte told me the job at Texas is not for the faint of heart. What gave you the confidence that you were up to it when you had some other opportunities that might have been a little bit stressful? Secondly, how much thought have you given toward next year? You're in the SEC. Preparing your program, your roster, everything about that program, everything about your program to be ready to compete in the SEC next season, what is that going to be like?
COACH SARKISIAN: Got it. Well, I've never been one to shy away from a challenge. I guess I will say that. Every job that I've taken and every job that I've decided not to take has been very calculated. Was it something that I really wanted to do? Was it something that was a challenge that I think could be met and achieve the goals and a standard that's been set at whatever university that you take? I will go back to my time as an assistant at USC when I accepted the job at the University of Washington. It's a very proud program. They were 0-12 the year before I got there. They were the only team in FBS that didn't win a game the year before I got there. I was sitting at a perennial power top five with a young, up-and-coming coach. And there was a lot of opportunities, but I wanted to go to a place where the standard was high because I always felt like if they had done it before, been conference champions, that they knew the path to get back. So, I went and took that job. When I left Washington to go to USC, I inherited a program that was in the midst of extreme NCAA probations and scholarship limitations, but I accepted that challenge. When I left to be the offensive coordinator at Atlanta Falcons, replacing Kyle Shanahan, who they just had the greatest offense in the NFL, was head coach of the 49ers, I wanted that challenge. So, when this opportunity presented itself at The University of Texas, I knew what Texas was from afar, because I saw it firsthand in the Rose Bowl with Vince Young and that team, being on the other sidelines with USC. I thought to myself, that's not that far removed. If we can get back to that, this is a really special place. Then the more I dug into Chris Del Conte, Jay Hartzell, our president, Kevin Eltife, our chairman of the board, I felt like those were men I wanted to go work with because they're aligned in what they're trying to get done. But to come in here, you have to understand -- I say this all the time -- people take jobs, but then they don't want to recognize the responsibilities and the expectations of the job, and then they want to say how hard the job is. Well, I kind of came in saying, "This is going to be a really hard job." There are extreme standards and expectations at The University of Texas. Once you accept that, then you just go to work. So, it doesn't matter what somebody else says or somebody writes or, Man, we lost that game. Of course, people are going to write things about you. Well, we want to win worse than anybody else does. So that part was not as difficult as people probably think, because I've been through the fire enough in my career. I knew what the standard and expectations were here, and it allowed me to stay focused on the task at hand rather than get consumed with the outside world. So that was something that I think my experience helped me with in taking this job. Chris Del Conte's support has been tremendous with that. As far as the SEC goes, when I accepted the job, I didn't know we were going to the SEC. I felt like if we were going to be a national championship program, we had to recruit players that could beat the SEC in the College Football Playoff. So that process started the day I got here. How do I build a roster that would have the ability to beat the best teams coming out of this conference to win a national championship? Because those are the teams that are always playing for it year in and year out. And I had just left that conference at Alabama. So that process got underway. When I got notified we were going to the SEC, I remember President [Jay] Hartzell and CC (Chris Del Conte) asked me: What do you think? I said, well, we are already beating a team to try to beat those guys in the playoffs. We will be okay. So, the process was under way. So, we really haven't had to change much of the expectation of what's to come. Obviously, we've been exposed to a couple of SEC venues. Year one, we went to Arkansas and got our butts kicked. So, it gave us a rude awakening for what that looks like. And then this year, we were able to go to Tuscaloosa and find a way to win at Alabama. But, again, that's all part of the process that we were already on, so there won't be so much of a shift as most people would think.
Q. I've been asking this same question for 15 years. I'm not going to stop now. Team hotel, Sunday night, head hits the pillow, thinking about Washington. What is the biggest concern running through your head about that Husky football team?
COACH SARKISIAN: Probably the -- I'm going to call them explosive plays. It's those game changing plays, whether it's the turnovers, whether it's the explosive pass play, whether it's them creating turnovers on defense. Those impactful five to eight plays that always occur in every game, how do we minimize their explosive plays, right? Whether it's them hitting the long pass, breaking the run, creating the sack fumble, whatever that is, and how do we create our own. I think those are probably going to be some of the defining moments in the game. So, again, we're trying to minimize theirs and we're trying to find as many as we can in our game plan to hopefully swing the pendulum a little bit.
Q. When you look over the last several games, you've picked players to highlight. You let T'Vondre Sweat score a touchdown. In the Big 12 championship, you gave the final ball to Arch Manning who handed it over to Jonathon Brooks. It's almost like you're highlighting the player but you're giving a gift to Texas Longhorn Nation. Is that something you're thinking about?
COACH SARKISIAN: No. It's more for our team and for our players. I'm a big believer in team morale. I do think that guys pull for one another. There are special things that come along on the journey. We, historically, have liked to use defensive linemen in our goal-line package. Sometimes it's thankless of running in there and pounding your head against the wall. So sometimes you have to throw [Maalik] Murphy a touchdown or [T'Vondre] Sweat a touchdown or whatever that looks like. Because, if you notice, when they get to the sidelines, the whole team is excited about that. The idea with Jonathan Brooks, what that meant to our program, to have him go out there on the last play of a Big 12 championship, we wouldn't have been there without him and what he's meant to this team. So, I want to make sure he got the appreciation he deserved. There are other little things along the way that we try to do, but mostly it's about these guys and what they give. I wish I could do all kinds of stuff in a game for everybody. It's hard to do that, obviously, but I do try to find ways to highlight those guys. And to me, I think it's just really good for team morale.
Q. From all accounts, you nailed the interview with Texas. Can you kind of recount what that interview was like from your standpoint? And did you know you nailed it?
COACH SARKISIAN: What was interesting about that process, there had been some other jobs that had come up that year that I didn't entertain. I really didn't even have a conversation with anybody at another school, and there were some pretty good schools that year that came open. I loved Alabama. I loved my time there. I loved working for Coach [Nick] Saban. When Texas called, I remember talking to my wife and thinking, "This is Texas." I need to talk to these people. I knew Chris Del Conte a little bit from back in the day of our Pac-12 days. Immediately, when I got on the call, it felt very comfortable. I felt comfortable talking to CDC. It felt comfortable talking to Jay Hartzell and Kevin Eltife. It didn't feel like I had to put on a front. And I've never been one to do that. I've always been one that this is who I am because I want to be as upfront and authentic, so you're not surprised by who I am down the road. I don't know how everybody else does interviews, but I don't go in with this whole notebook and plan and flip through 350 pages of this is what we're going to do on March 1st, so on and so forth. I want it to come from me and how I feel and not some book that a GA put together the night before the interview. I don't know if that resonated with them or not, but I had a very clear plan of what I thought needed to be done. I had done a little bit of homework on the roster. I had done a little bit of homework on the schedule. I started to navigate my way through it. Again, I don't think when it was done that, they could have felt anything was fabricated or just coach talk because it was all coming directly from me. I didn't have to flip to page 48. It was coming right out of me. And that's a benefit of having been a head coach before, too, right? I had years of experience. I had been with some great head coaches as well. I was working with Nick Saban at the time. I had been with Pete Carroll for seven years. I had been with some really good guys, and those things had just become normal to me at that point.
Q. Obviously, the first time you've been asked about this question, but how has Arch Manning been since he got into your program and handling his backup role?
COACH SARKISIAN: Arch has been tremendous. I give him a lot of credit, because he operates on a daily basis like that's not the name on the back of his jersey. He comes to work and works as hard or harder than anybody in our program. He's extremely humble. He's there for his teammates. I've seen dramatic improvement in him. That's not the say he wasn't really good when he got here, but he's worked so hard to improve his game not only physically but mentally. I think he has got tremendous rapport with his teammates, and he's fun to coach because he's coachable. He wants to do it right. You definitely see the Manning gene in him. The work ethic is undeniable. The football IQ is undeniable. We're fortunate to have him. He's a real pleasure.
Q. And adding on to that, with having him (Arch Manning) there in the quarterback room, what do you think the relationship has been between him and Quinn Ewers?
COACH SARKISIAN: I think they have a great relationship. One thing we try too harp on with those guys in that room, be a great teammate. Everybody is working at their craft. Everybody is trying to improve at a different stage of their career. Where Quinn is, is different than where Arch is. What Quinn is working on might be different than what Arch is working on, but the appreciation for what each guy is working on and how it benefits the team is what we try to get them to understand. I think they're both great teammates, super supportive. I do. I think they've got a great relationship with one another.
Q. When you're out here for so long and it's a business trip, the guys said you did a good job of balancing fun with the business aspect. How hard is that for you to make sure that they figure out what this is about, all at the same time they're in New Orleans?
COACH SARKISIAN: I think experience has helped me a little bit on this one. There was a stretch there at USC where we were playing in some really big games there January 1st in some of those Rose Bowls. Naturally, at Alabama that time there. And that's a long time between games. I think one of the mistakes you can make is you don't do anything for a while. Then you come back and for two and a half straight weeks, it's the game, the game, the game. And by the time the game comes, their battery is empty. They've ran out of that mental intensity that's needed for the game. We try to gradually build them towards the ball game. When we were back home, we had three really intense days on the game plan because we wanted to make sure we got that done back home. Since we've been here, I do think there's been a great balance. We've had really good meetings. We've had very good practices. Yet, we had a really good karaoke session the other night, too, which I think they needed. I think these guys need to relax and have fun with another one. I think there might been 14 or 15 barbers cutting hair in our hotel last night. They were all in there together getting their hair cut and having fun. Tonight, we're going to go eat catfish. To me, those team-bonding experiences are as important to this game as how we're supposed to block the inside zone because that's, ultimately for us, what helps us win in the fourth quarter of these games.
Q. Is there a game for you that stands out, either as a play caller or as a coach that you're most proud of from the season?
COACH SARKISIAN: I reference this a lot. When we played Kansas State at home, who is a really good football team. Quinn [Ewers] was out. We had to play the game with our backup quarterback. We came out on fire. We were playing a really good game. We had a couple of horrific turnovers, that in a two-minute span, they scored 20 points and tied the game up. It was unbelievable how quickly it happened. But I thought the character that our team showed in the last five minutes of that game was something I will always remember this team for. We found a way to get a drive, to get a field goal, a critical fourth-down conversion to JT (Ja'Tavion) Sanders. We go to overtime. Kansas State gets the ball first and goal on our 5, and they had four straight shots to score. The way that our defense played team defense in that four-play sequence is something that I was really proud of as the coach because, naturally, when people look at me, they think I'm all about offense and what is the offense doing. I think the connection that I've been able to have with our defensive staff and our defensive players and their ability to make those plays in that critical moment, it was a variety of people all the way up until that fourth-down stop is something I will always hold on to from the season. There's a lot of other great moments and great plays and players and things. But that moment was one that was very special, especially it happening at home. It was a great environment for our home crowd.
Q. Coach, Washington fans are pretty familiar with Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate. Can you talk a little bit about what drew you to those two coaches and just the coaching trees that a lot of these coaches are coming from, with Pete Carroll, Nick Saban. And Coach Pete is starting to develop one as well. How important is it in hiring guys?
COACH SARKISIAN: I think it goes without saying I have the utmost respect for Coach Pete and the job that he did not only at UDub but at Boise State. We had some great battles when I was at Washington with Boise State. We had played them a couple of times there. When I had gone to SC, then they came over to UDub. In thinking of hiring defensive coaches, it's, A, you can hire somebody you're really familiar with, somebody that you know they're from the same staff that you're on. Or my thought is, go hire somebody who's always been a thorn in your side, who has always been really difficult to compete against. Coach PK and Choate, they were hard. They were tough. Even when Choate was at Washington State and the job he did there with Coach [Mike] Leach, the energy you can see that he provided on not only defense but on special teams. I just tried to bring in a couple of guys that I felt like naturally we would have some connection there with the Northwest and our ties to Seattle. But, also, systematically, I thought there was enough of a pro-style approach to what they did but, yet, they were really difficult to go against and appreciated the time we had to go against one another. So that was kind of the thought process. It's worked out. It's turned out really well for us.
Q. And every coach has got their own path, but Kalen's [DeBoer] is pretty unique. Started at a high level, FCS, Group of Five. Kind of worked his way up. What do you make of that path? What stands out about him from afar?
COACH SARKISIAN: Well, I think, first of all, I've got a ton of respect for what he's done throughout his career, most notably recent history at UDub. I know that's a great accomplishment at that place. Good coaches are good coaches, you know? I'm sure somewhere in there, there was a leap of faith where you have to decide to get out of your comfort zone to say, I'm going to go for it. I don't know where in his career that occurred to, hey, I've been a head coach. Now I'm going to take a step back to be a position coach to try to elevate myself in this coaching profession. Somewhere in there, he believed in himself, right, and had to take a leap of faith to go for it. So, we've all had those and had those moments. As you go through it, you can look back and try to critique each move. But in the end, they were all the right moves at the right time, because that's what got us to the point that we're in. A ton of respect for what he's done in his career, the job he's done with that program at UDub and the season they've had and really the two seasons they've had. So, nothing but respect.
Q. Your players have talked about the impact of your message and your first culture meeting that you had. Can you share a little bit of what your message was to them?
COACH SARKISIAN: Quite frankly, I just wanted them to know who Steve Sarkisian was in my own words and not what they read on the Internet, not what other people wrote about who I was. So, to do that, I had to be authentic. I had to be transparent. I had to be vulnerable. I had to share things that most people probably wouldn't share with some of their closest friends, but I had to do that to really start to gain their trust and also to give them the idea that, hey, in here, on this platform, you can be you. You can be vulnerable, and we're here to support one another. So, they got my story, nuts and bolts. And it wasn't the PG version. In the end, I'm glad that they appreciated that because they have been vulnerable with me. It's allowed me to get to know them. They've been vulnerable with one another, and it's created a lot of empathy for everybody of things that people have had to go through in their lives to get to this point. And now how do we shape ourselves for the future that everybody wants to have? I love these guys because of moments like that, that they're talking to you guys more about that then how we're running a specific play in a certain game. To me, that's what it's about, that, hopefully, we're changing lives and helping people become men in a society that we all can be proud of.
------------
Defensive back Jahdae Barron
Q. I want to talk to you a little bit about Coach Sark [Steve Sarkisian], and the evolution of all you guys together. He talked a little bit today at the press conference about how he's changed as a coach and how he gets more into conversations with players. Can you tell me a little bit about what it's like for him to have those conversations about life and everything else?
JAHDAE BARRON: For me, that's what got me to stay here. But for me, it was just the connection I built off the field with him, knowing I can trust him off the field. It's easy to trust him off the field with my life and everything and how everything's playing out for me. But at the end of the day, he's a real good dude, real good man. He genuinely cares about us, he cares about all the kids he brings in and things like that, and then genuinely tries to build a connection with you to a standpoint beyond life. He always tries to build the culture, and we did a thing called Culture Wednesdays, and it always helped us evolve as a family and as a brotherhood. Even with the coaches, assistant coaches, to everybody, we were always involved, and we always felt connected as one, knowing what somebody went through off the field. And so, it's easy to trust somebody on the field. So, these Culture Wednesdays, we always did it during summer workouts. It was always helpful in a positive way. Sometimes it was tough to get through some of them, some of the talks with your brother, but it always helped us get here right now with the connection that we have.
Q. It seems like he's also pushed a lot of buttons this year, and I don't mean that in a negative way. I mean, in terms of the "Revenge Tour" and all this stuff. I mean, it felts like everybody has galvanized together. Has it been different at all from previous years, in terms of how he motivates the team, on a mission kind of thing?
JAHDAE BARRON: So, one thing about Sark [Head Coach Steve Sarkisian], he's never changed his personality and who he is as a person. As soon as he got here, it was always the same way we approach things, and he always approached it the same way when he talked to us and spoke to the team. At the end of the day, it was just puzzles. It was just pieces to the puzzle that we had to connect, and that was one of his puzzles that he always started with, to preach a certain way to us, to relay the message that way to us, and it obviously took time from sophomore year to junior year, but it's always a. piece of the puzzle. You just have to connect one at a time, and that's what he did. We built something special here.
Q. Before Senior Day, I saw some of the pictures you posted about being a kid, going to autograph days and going to games, stuff like that. How crazy is it now to be here at this stage after growing up as a fan?
JAHDAE BARRON: It's amazing. Honestly, I'm always blessed, truly blessed to be able to live a kid's dream. I was that little kid once, so to be able to have that experience and play in front of the hometown that I grew up, it's honestly been the best opportunity for me. I never take anything for granted.
Q. This offense, they got a lot of people that can potentially make plays. What's kind of your key as a defensive back on where you stand preset, pre-read alignment? What puts you in position to help you be successful?
JAHDAE BARRON: Well, not to discredit anything that Washington can do. Washington, they have a lot of explosive guys, but at the end of the day, we've got a lot of explosive guys. So, it's going to be good on good. We accept the challenge. We can't wait for the challenge. But at the end of the day, PK [Defensive Coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski], he has a great plan for us. We have to make sure we go out there and excuse it.
Q. Coach PK [Pete Kwiatkowski], year number two playing against this same team. Some things that you've been able to learn since you played against them last year. What's carried over from the film that you've been able to break down to something that you've seen on tape show up again, and something that you can have ready for you this upcoming Monday?
JAHDAE BARRON: Obviously, their offense, great players with great talent. But they love to get their shots in, and they want to catch us slipping on formation shifts and things like that and miscommunication. So, we just must be on the same page and be locked in together as a brotherhood.
Q. Why did the Sark [Steve Sarkisian] culture work? Why does that work? It doesn't always work. I've seen coaches try to bring the family atmosphere in, and it doesn't work, but I can tell you guys get along. What have those coaches done to make it so easy for you guys to have that chemistry?
JAHDAE BARRON: It was easy. Once he put his life in front of us and he had to gain his trust from us, so it was easy for us to gain our trust from him. And he opened up to us, so it made it easy to open up to him and open up to the other brothers on the team, and then the assistant coaches and other coaches and so on. So that was a big part. Just trusting one another and being able to open up to one another, and that's what Sark did from the start. So he made it very easy for us and it was very helpful for us to get here.
Q. How candid was he? He's been through it, and it's all public. The USC thing was a nightmare for him. He had to rebuild. He had to rebuild his career and his life. How candid was he about that with you guys? Because he's been through so much, and a guy who's only 50 years old has been through a lot.
JAHDAE BARRON: At the end of the day, he's been through so much, but it never stopped him, it never stopped his drive. So, he talks about it all the time: It's not what happens to you, it's how you respond. And he responded in the best way possible, and he's turned his life around completely, and I know whatever he went through, it only made him stronger and his family stronger. I'm connected with his son that's on the team. He's a great dude. He's proud of his dad and he's proud of the things that his dad has done for us. We all treat Sark [Head Coach Steve Sarkisian] like another dad. He's just another brother to us, and it's amazing to have both of them with us.
Offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr.
Q. I want to talk about the NIL collectives. That's something that's really changed the experience of college athletes, I think, that most fans don't even understand. Can you talk a little bit about how it's affected you, the fact that that collective exists?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: It's definitely affected me in many ways, me being able to have the opportunity to help my family earlier than what possibly I could be helping my family, also just getting to go out in the community, helping people out in need. You never really understand how good you got it, I would say, or how grateful you ought to be in the position you are until you see other people's situation. And just being able to see the smile on their face, knowing that they probably haven't had a good day or aren't going to have a good day. So it's been real special to be able to be a part of that.
Q. Is there some particular place you remember going as part of that that really struck you?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: I think it's called the Side-by-Side Kids. It was kind of like a little day they had ‑‑ how do you say it? A play day? I forgot what it's called. But it's a little play day. We went out there and helped them out and just made sure they had fun. You could definitely tell they were excited to see us. They had a little water fight, and they were chasing us all over the place. That was fun. And then we went to Dell Children's hospital before and went up there and seen the cancer patients, and just being able to listen to their story. Most of the time, we really didn't say much about it, just trying to have them forget about it. But you know what I'm saying, just having fun with them and seeing them smile. That was fun.
Q. Is there something particular you've been able to buy or somebody you've been able to help with the money you got out of it that's really struck you?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: Definitely my parents. It's kind of been a big thing for me just to help them. And now that I can do that at an early age in my life, it just means a lot to me just being able to see the burden be lifted off their back.
Q. You were part of the recruiting class that came right after Horns with Heart started, when they made that big splash. You're a recruit and you see these guys saying, look, you can make money and be in college. What did you think when you saw that offer?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: It was definitely something that struck your eye, you would say, but it definitely didn't make the decision for my recruitment. I understood where the NIL route was going. But in my eyes, it was kind of like you want to go where it's best for yourself. But it definitely was something that caught my eye.
Q. It wasn't the only factor, obviously. Can you describe sort of what your thought process was, what role it played in your thinking when you were thinking about do I choose Texas or a million other places?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: Just definitely thinking about how I could fit myself in that program and how the coaches could better me. And I definitely thought Coach [Kyle] Flood was the best option.
Q. I was talking to Coach [Kenny] Harrison at Summer Creek, and he showed us a video of you kind of doing a pull block, killing a guy, to every single person that comes in there. It reminded me of the Big 12 pull block. What is that physicality? How do you turn that on? You're a nice, quiet guy off the field. How do you turn that on?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: Whenever you step on that field, you kind of know. You feel the jitters. You feel the butterflies running through your body when the game has started and just knowing that you're going to go out there and physically dominate that other guy, and also not wanting to be embarrassed on TV. So, it's kind of like a mix of everything, just wanting to do good for your coaches and your teammates and wanting to show people that, hey, I'm not just here to have the name of Texas on my chest; I want to represent my family as well. So, it's kind of just that feeling.
Q. How cool was it watching the alma mater make it all the way to the state game?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: It was very cool to watch that game. I was there; so, it was a good experience just to see how happy everybody was to get there.
Q. That area produces a lot of offense. What's in the water out there that produces that position so well?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: Honestly, I don't know. I couldn't tell you if there was anything in the water. But like you said, they do produce a lot of O linemen. We've got Nate Kimmel that's out there coming to Texas as well; so, it's a good area.
Q. How hard was it to start as a true freshman at a position like left tackle against an opponent slate that had a couple of NFL guys?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: It was definitely a tough challenge, especially I feel like the biggest thing for a freshman is having the technique to get to your spots and do the right thing. I feel like my technique has taken leaps and bounds from my first year and also the confidence that you should have in yourself. You should never doubt yourself. You should never feel like, hey, I'm a freshman; this guy's a fifth‑year senior or he's a junior going to the NFL. So, you've got to have that confidence in yourself knowing that, hey, every time I step out here, he's here for the same reason I'm here, and just go out there and play football.
Q. Was there a moment in a game or a practice or workout where you went from what am I getting myself into to, hey, I belong here; I can play with these guys?
KELVIN BANKS JR.: I would say the first moment where I was like what did I get myself into was a fall camp day, some sort of pod drill we did. And I had to go versus [Keondre] Coburn and I hit him, and he didn't move. And I was like, okay, I see. I've got to get myself together. So it was that moment and then just playing in that first game versus ULM. It really let me know, hey, you can do this. Obviously, I had more stuff to work on because it was my first game, but it definitely gave me that mindset of me being able to go out there and actually play with guys that are on that high of a level.
Tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders
Q. How do you feel about this big game in this college playoff Semifinal?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: I'm very confident. I'm used to these big games, playing throughout high school and stuff, so I'm very confident in myself and my teammates and I can't wait to play.
Q: Coach [Steve] Sarkisian mentioned in the press conference that after quarterback, the tight end is the most important position in his offense. What do you think about that statement from Coach Sark?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: I definitely agree. We've got to know every route concept, every pass protection, every run block. Almost every route, you know, because we flex out at a different spot. So, I definitely agree with what he said, for sure.
Q. We saw you at the Big 12 Championship, catching the football, making great blocks, and running the football. How did you feel about that running play and the big success that you had with that running play?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: Leading up to that moment when Coach Sark [Steve Sarkisian] called my number, I knew what it was going to be. So, when he called my number, I just went and made my play.
Q. What have you seen from the Washington Huskies defense? What are the big challenges facing the Huskies defense?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: They have two good edge players that can get to the quarterback, so we've definitely got to watch out for them. Their front seven as a whole and their defense as a whole, they all play with each other. They play a line, and they play their spots really well, so I think it's going to be a great game.
Q. Quinn [Ewers] seems like a guy that doesn't mind the backups getting the attention. How would you describe Quinn's personality in terms of being laid back?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: He's laid back, but he's on point. He's cool, calm, collected always, but he definitely understands when it's time to get to business. So, I definitely respect that and love that about him.
Q. There's a lot that comes along with playing quarterback at The University of Texas, as you know, and last year, or before that, he got some criticism. How do you feel like he handled all of that?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: I think he handled it great, and he didn't have to do too much. He showed it on the field this past season. He kind of had an injury that set him back this year, but I still think he bounced back after the injury, and I think he bounced back even harder this year. So, I definitely think he stepped up and molded himself to who he is today.
Q. What kind of a leader would you say he is, vocal or not?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: Both. I tell people this all the time, he cut that mullet off, it's a whole new Quinn [Ewers]. He really stepped up into that leadership role, like how a QB is supposed to be. I'm really thankful for him.
Q. You've been a key part of this offense. How much can be added, subtracted, how many different routes, different plays, different formations can you put in with the extra time that you guys have had to face Washington?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: You know, this extra time, it's given us more time to hone in, not only on the defense, but ourselves. What we like to do, we've got to kind of stay with it, but kind of not stay with it at the same time, switch it up a little bit. And Sark's [Head Coach Steve Sarkisian] a great play caller. He's coming up with plays every day, so it could be anything.
Q. What's the quickest he's ever come up with the plays? Over on the sideline drawing something up in-game? Give me the most random time he's thrown out a new play for you guys.
JA'TAVION SANDERS: Actually, yesterday. He just came up to me and my other tight end Gunnar [Helm], and he was like, "We're going to do this." "Okay, Coach." I'm not doing any arguing. I trust him.
Q. Are there any differences in how y'all are preparing for this game versus last year's game against Washington?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: Yes and no. It's a bigger game on a bigger stage, but our preparation throughout the week is the same. We don't need to switch up from what we've been doing. So our preparation throughout the week has been the same. But the mindset is kind of different. It's a playoff game, not a bowl game. So, we definitely have a different mindset coming into this game.
Q. How has the team been? What the team's mood since you've been here?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: I think we've been rowdied up. It's been a two, three-week break. I think we're ready to get back in.
Q. With the long break, how do you stay focused and how do you get into the full swing of practice?
JA'TAVION SANDERS: Consistency for one, and you've got to have the hard, fast, physical practice. I feel like we've been doing that. Like midseason form practices, if you know what that means. That's why I say I'm very confident in my teammates. We've had some of our best practices the whole season in this stadium, so I'm excited. I think it's the confidence that not only myself, but my teammates have, our staff has. So, I think it's just a mindset thing that we've all kind of implemented throughout the team and ourselves, and I think we're all just ready to go out there and show who the Texas Longhorns really are.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers
Q. Quinn, you told us it was a dream come true to bring your team a Big 12 championship. What has it been like for you to bring your team to the college football playoffs?
QUINN EWERS: It's been unreal to just have the opportunity to play in the playoffs. I know all these guys are fired up. I couldn't be more proud of the way that we're approaching this game, just approaching each practice day in and day out, and I know we're all pretty fired up for January 1st.
Q. What have you seen from your team this week that proves to you that you can win on this stage in this game?
QUINN EWERS: I think just how comfortable everybody is in practice just around everybody. Everyone's still kind of just talking about the game plan in the hotels and that whole deal. Everyone is pretty focused. It's cool to see when everybody's locked in.
Q. AD [Adonai] Mitchell has experience in these kinds of games. Xavier Worthy has the explosive play-making ability. Jordan Whittington has the veteran leadership. What do you need from your receivers in this match-up?
QUINN EWERS: Nothing more than they've done all year. Just go out there and play their game. I'm going to try my hardest to get the ball in their hands, and we'll see what happens after that.
Q. What kind of advantage can you guys find against this veteran defense, specifically in the passing game?
QUINN EWERS: As long as we've focused on us and what we're doing, I think we're a hard offense to stop when it comes to that. We stay enamored with what we're doing.
Q. What's your message to your team?
QUINN EWERS: Just go out there and have fun. It's a kid's game. Go back to your Pee Wee days and go have fun.
Q. I'm wanting to write a little bit about y'all's running back room and how they righted the ship after JB [Jonathon Brooks] went down. From your perspective, how have those guys stepped up -- CJ [Baxter], Jaydon [Blue], Keilan [Robinson] -- since JB went down?
QUINN EWERS: They've definitely stepped up really well, and I'm proud of the way all of those guys come to work each day. And it sucks, JB went down. Especially with the season he was having and just the guy he is, it sucks to see that from a guy like him. But, like you said, I think all three of those guys have done a great job stepping up.
Q. I don't know how much you interact with Coach [Tashard] Choice. Obviously, he's not your position coach. What kind of impact do you think he has as a coach for your team and in that room specifically?
QUINN EWERS: I think he has a huge impact. He brings the energy to practice. He's a high energy guy, which just gets everyone else rolling.
Q. Having seen the team grow over the past two years, what do you think the team, the offense has grown most since you've arrived to where it is right now?
QUINN EWERS: I think everyone just has a better understanding of the entire offense as a whole, especially me. I think when Coach Sark [Steve Sarkisian] calls a play, I think people know the why now. Instead of just going out there and trying to execute a play. I think we all know why he's going to call it.
Q. Tell me more about that, the why. Does he explain the why pregame or is it in a game you hear a play called and you're like, oh, I think this is setting up something that we'll see in the third and the fourth quarter?
QUINN EWERS: He explains it. We roll through game plans. He leads the game plan for us, the running backs, the receivers; so, we get good insight on why he thinks he should call certain plays.
Q. The quarterback room has changed over the past few weeks with Maalik [Murphy] leaving. How has that opened the door for Arch [Manning] to get more practice reps or changed how you guys do things in meetings or on the practice field?
QUINN EWERS: It definitely changes up whenever you've got a guy like Malik who is in the portal. I'm just excited to see what he does, first off. But yeah, it opens up things for Arch for sure. He's getting a lot more reps than he was during the Entire season.
Q. A lot of college football players are like I don't get enough respect, that type of thing. I've never heard you say that. What does fuel you if it's not that?
QUINN EWERS: We're all human beings; so, it doesn't bother me. Outside opinions don't really affect me. Whenever you focus too much on the bad, you'll get too down. When you focus too much on the good, you'll become complacent about certain things. I don't focus on all that stuff.
Q. You're probably not in the mood to reflect on a career, but when you think about the tougher times at Texas that you had earlier, what would you say is the biggest difference? Where have you come the farthest, whether it's mentally or whatever?
QUINN EWERS: I think I just understand the offense a whole lot better, and I'm a whole lot better at just taking what the defense gives me instead of forcing throws.
Linebacker Jaylan Ford
Q. I've been thinking a lot about that press conference the day of the playoffs, when Sark [Steve Sarkisian] talked about how he's changed as a coach in terms of his relationships with players and the discussions that you guys have. Can you tell me a little bit of what it's like to have those conversations with your coach about life and things that are off the field?
JAYLAN FORD: With our coaches, honestly, I just think it's really cool to be able to not always be about ball, you know. At a certain point in time, we get to watching so much film or going over the same thing so many times. It's kind of cool to just talk about something else. And so being able to talk to my coaches about life and problems that we have and how they've been able to relate to them because they've already been in our shoes, been our age, it's pretty cool. And like specifically, my LB coach, we've got a great LB room. And we always get to talk about other things rather than just football.
Q. Is that unusual, or has it always been that way with all the coaches you've played with?
JAYLAN FORD: I wouldn't say it's unusual. I would say it just comes with whatever your coach – I have had some coaches that do it. I've had some that don't. I think it's more about how comfortable they are with their players. And I think that's kind of what Sark was saying, was that these coaches are so comfortable with us that they could be that leader figure for us or someone that we can look up to or someone we can come to when we have problems. And I think that's just them being great coaches.
Q. Obviously, this year, I think this team has shown that it's sort of a physical, gritty team. I've lived in Texas my whole life. You hear everyone always says Texas is superstars and they're soft and all that stuff. But what does it mean to you guys that the reputation, really, of this team has been about toughness, and about how hard it is to run on you, and the stinginess of the defense and everything? With the firepower and you've got an offense-minded coach, to sort of the calling card of this team has been defense?
JAYLAN FORD: I think it's just it's been good to be able to finally say something about Texas and it actually be true. And you can say whatever you want, but our games, our record, everything we've done this year speaks for itself. And I think that's been the coolest thing is that, so to speak, the proof is in the pudding for us. And I think that's kind of what gives us the most joy. And that allows us to have the most fun is that we talk a lot, or we mess around, but we can back it up. And we've been backing it up all year. And I think it's been an amazing feeling.
Q. You've been out here practicing and stuff like that. What's the vibe of the team? We don't get to be inside the locker room. We don't get to be around y'all in the meetings and stuff like that. Just let me know how y'all are feeling.
JAYLAN FORD: Man, I think this has been the coolest team that I've been around, especially when half the guys are about to play one of the biggest games of their life. I mean, the vibe is immaculate.
Q. What does this game mean to you, and why is this going to be one of the biggest games of your life besides the obvious?
JAYLAN FORD: This is a history game. Whether you win or lose, it's going to go down in history. Like I told you, how are you going to want to bring this story back up? How are you going to want to explain history down the road?
Q. How has it been being in New Orleans and being in the college football playoffs?
JAYLAN FORD: It's been pretty good. I think for the most part, it's just good to know that everything we've done this year has put us in this position to go play for a national championship.
Q. You saw this Washington team last year in the Alamo Bowl. What's different about them? And what's different about this year?
JAYLAN FORD: I would say for them, I think they're just a more complete team. A lot of those guys that they had last year came back and were able to just take more control of their team and kind of establish themselves as a better program. And I think that's what they did, and we've got to go out there and make sure we execute on all levels, and I think we'll be good.
Q. They have the longest winning streak in the country. Is that something y'all look at or y'all talk about at all?
JAYLAN FORD: Not really. We mostly talk about how they play, their playing styles, and how they've been able to beat other teams.
Q. Do you feel any different as a player going into this year's game than you did last year?
JAYLAN FORD: Definitely. For me, one of them is because it's my senior year; so, these next two games could be potentially my last. And then the other part is there's a lot more at stake in this game than the one last year.
Q. Have y'all done anything different to prepare for this game versus last year's game?
JAYLAN FORD: No. I think mentalities have changed, though, because of the outcome and how much is at stake this go-around. But I think this season has allowed us to really get confidence in ourselves, and we've just been being us and doing everything we've been doing all year.
Q. What did you do to prepare for this game? I know you've been through a lot through this season. It's a lot of ups and downs and your team has been doing really good. What have you guys done to prepare for this game?
JAYLAN FORD: We've done a lot. We looked over a lot of tapes, what's caused us problems in the past. And we came out here and I think we corrected most of them, so we did a pretty good job.
Q. First off, congratulations on being here. And then once you're here, what's it like taking in all the Media Day?
JAYLAN FORD: It's been pretty cool just to be able to tell our story, speak about our experience and everything we've done since we've been here. It's been a good experience, and I'm excited to go play.
Q. So, obviously, Washington's offense, one of the top offenses in the country. What's it been like watching them on tape? And, obviously, it's an offense that can throw the football. We know they're the number one passing team in the country, but as of late, they've been running the football. So, what do you see on tape from Washington, knowing that you all have got to get stopped?
JAYLAN FORD: I think with them, it starts with their O-line, obviously, whether they're running the ball or they're passing it. So, I think that's been their biggest attribute is having a line like the one they have. And for us, I think we have to do us, be technically sound, making sure everybody's doing their job, and I think we'll be all right.
Wide receiver Xavier Worthy
Q. What was it about Texas ultimately that made you feel at home?
XAVIER WORTHY: I think Sark [Steve Sarkisian] played kind of that key factor with me coming to Texas. Really just his offensive scheme and just the kind of guy he was.
Q. How much has last year's game against these guys motivated you? Does that factor into anything for this game?
XAVIER WORTHY: I really don't think it factors into anything for me. I just feel like they didn't get the best of me last year. I feel like I want to give them the best of me.
Q. Are you as close to 100% as you've been in a while?
XAVIER WORTHY: Actually, yes. I've been hitting rehab real hard and just trying to get prepared for the game.
Q. How have you guys stayed locked? It's a big, long break. I know for you, health-wise, that can be beneficial. But just keeping the team focused and maybe keeping that intensity level up.
XAVIER WORTHY: Sark [Steve Sarkisian] has just been telling us, "Keep the main thing the main thing." And I feel like we buy into that.
Q. What are some of the messages you've gotten from your community and how you've represented them in Austin?
XAVIER WORTHY: Just keep doing what we're doing. The city is proud, and you guys are doing good. Just keep going.
Q. You look at this Washington secondary, what stands out? What might you expect in a Semifinal game?
XAVIER WORTHY: Just their chemistry, and I feel like they just probably switch things up. They're really sound, really good playing together. So, it should be a fun one.
Q. You look at Quinn's [Ewers] media scrum today, and Arch [Manning] is getting so much attention. Everything Arch does gets attention. Do you feel like he handles that okay?
XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like he handles everything like a pro. Just his approach on everything, being so young. I feel like it's probably just something probably his uncles passed down to him. But I feel like he handles everything like a pro.
Q. You feel like Quinn [Ewers] is kind of cool with that, giving the attention?
XAVIER WORTHY: I kind of prefer not to get the attention. That's a lot of attention for people our age. It's a blessing and a curse at the same time.
Q. How do you feel like Quinn [Ewers] has settled into the job, everything that comes with being a quarterback at The University of Texas?
XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like him just kind of leading the team and being more vocal, and I feel like you can see it in his play and how he carries himself now, so I feel like it's showing.
Q. Earlier in his career when he was getting some criticism, when you guys weren't winning as much, did that bother him? Did that bother you guys? How do you feel like he handled the tougher stuff?
XAVIER WORTHY: No, it didn't really shake him. I feel like last year, we were a couple plays away from being exactly where we're at right now. So, I feel like it paid off and it's showing now.
Q. What kind of a locker room leader is he? Does he talk a lot? Does he give speeches? Does he talk to you guys?
XAVIER WORTHY: Quinn [Ewers] is the type of person to talk when needed. I feel like if we need somebody to kind of get us right, if he sees it, he'll say something.
Q. I want to ask you about this offense. We saw these two teams go at it a year ago. Where has your offense improved the most since last year?
XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like our confidence and our trust factor. I feel like we had trust last year and confidence last year, but I feel like it's grown to a new level.
Q. You lose Jonathan Brooks. Does that put a little more pressure on the pass rush?
XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like we also have some great backs in Keilan Robinson, Jaydon Blue, and Cedric Baxter. I feel like our running backs can make plays.
Q. What about Quinn [Ewers] and his areas of growth? We talked to Coach Sark [Steve Sarkisian] about it, talked about his confidence and things like that. Where have you seen his evolution take him?
XAVIER WORTHY: Just in his confidence, trust in everybody, and his leadership. I feel like his leadership really took a big role. In the off-season, Quinn said he lost like 20 pounds, and he cut his hair. That's the really big difference. He's really more focused on the ball now.
Q. What about the culture that Coach [Steve] Sarkisian has been able to bring to this team? It's three years in the making. Where have you seen the biggest differences there?
XAVIER WORTHY: Just how together everybody is. Everybody is really a family. As you can see right now, everybody's out here talking with each other and just enjoying it.
Q. What is the vibe like? What is the energy like with the team this week?
XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like everybody is locked in and basically trying to play for a natty next week, so I feel like we're all prepared.
Defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat
Q. How are you guys feeling going into this game? What's your level of confidence with how you've been playing the last couple of games especially?
T'VONDRE SWEAT: Our confidence is very high. We're a great team. That's a great team we're playing against. So, we're very confident. I can't wait just to go out there Monday and show who we really are.
Q. You guys have a lot of players from the Houston area specifically. Can you talk about how much growing up in that Houston area football culture helped shape your career thus far?
T'VONDRE SWEAT: Yeah, we do have a lot of guys from the Houston area. Houston always brings out great athletes. I'm from Huntsville, but I also grew up in Houston. And I mean, Houston is just Houston. And I mean you can't get no better than that, having Texas guys coming from Texas. And I feel like it doesn't shock me or amaze me because Houston has all the best athletes.
Q. I think 2018 was the last time maybe that you had played at NRG Stadium in the playoffs with Huntsville High School. Obviously, you guys have to take care of business here first, but what would it mean to have the potential to play again at NRG Stadium for a national championship?
T'VONDRE SWEAT: It would be awesome because I believe, yeah, when I played at NRG, I don't think I lost at NRG. I don't think I lost at NRG. It would be awesome, but just playing would be awesome too. We're not really worried about the natty right now. We've got a game in front of us in New Orleans. So, once we handle that, we'll worry about the next.
Q. Speaking about your individual match-up as a defensive lineman, Washington has a good offensive line. How much are you looking forward to that match-up? And is there anything in particular that you know about them that you want to focus on as you go into this game?
T'VONDRE SWEAT: I'm really not too focused on them. I mean, yeah, they won that award, I guess, but that don't fear me. All that's saying is we fear them more? We don't fear them. We're going to come out there and play our best ball. And yeah, they're a great group of guys. But I mean, y'all should know who we are. I feel like we proved ourselves. So, at this point, we're just going to go play our ballgame against a great group of guys, and we'll see the outcome.
Q. Is there anything you're looking forward to personally for the game or anything like that, any sort of just goals that you have for yourself or for the team? Obviously, winning the game is the ultimate goal, so to speak, but anything that you want to contribute personally?
T'VONDRE SWEAT: I just want to go out there and win. I know what we're going to do when we show up Monday. So, we're going to all see how that plays out, and we'll find out.
Q. That '19 group, there was a lot of hype on that class. You go through a coaching change; you go through a bunch of stuff.
T'VONDRE SWEAT: It was a lot of hype. Life, you know, college life. Life happens, and I think people should realize that we're all just regular human beings and we go through stuff like everybody else goes through stuff. And our life is not just perfect because we play for The University of Texas. So, life happens, and we've got some guys that did; some guys that didn't.
Q. When you get to this kind of point and the success you've had this year, can you appreciate your own maturation that you've had over the course of your time here?
T'VONDRE SWEAT: 100%, but I give all hand claps to Coach Bo [Davis]. He taught me a lot over the past three years that I had him, and I will say he changed my life. He doesn't like me to tell them, but I would say he changed my life, a lot of ways of me doing things.
Q. You mean like professionalism?
T'VONDRE SWEAT: Professional, just maturity, all of that. And helping me grow up as a man.
Q. You wanted to talk about your supporting staff, the secondary, the linebackers yesterday. Just talk about them and what they mean to your success, the D-line's success?
T'VONDRE SWEAT: I mean, it means a lot. We all play together. So, they need us; we need them. And we're all on the same page. You can't be a better defense … and when we're on the page, they're on the page. And when they're on the page, we're on the page. It's all a team thing.
Q. What's one of the things you all have been able to do to prepare for this big moment?
T'VONDRE SWEAT: I mean, we've been preparing for weeks now. We're coming into this game ready to play and just focus on the main topic, and that's winning. And our coach has prepared us to the teeth. And you know how we prepare at The University of Texas. It isn't easy. We prepare hard. We practice hard every day. So, I feel like we prepare well, and we can't wait for Monday to come.
