Feeling the Momentum of Texas Football
The Longhorns welcomed back many lettermen as part of the annual Family Reunion Weekend.
Scott Retzlaff, TexasSports.com
4/25/2023
It was a huge weekend for Texas Football. Made in Austin Weekend provided three straight days of events to enjoy, fans got their first glimpse of the 2023 squad at the Orange and White Game presented by Texas One Fund, and former lettermen were welcomed back as part of Texas Football’s annual Family Reunion Weekend.
The days were filled with fun events for those returning to Austin. They checked out Thursday’s practice, participated in a golf tournament and open house event on Friday, then took in Saturday’s game at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Teammates reunited. Stories were shared. The reunion weekend also gave former players another chance to connect with the current team and spend time at the university that meant and means so much to them.
“The weekend is just really fun,” said Ricky Brown, a Longhorn letterwinner who now serves as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for 4EVER Texas and DE&I. “It’s an example of the power of Texas Football and the Texas brand that so many of our guys come back and want to be a part of this. I had great conversations with former players who want to help our current players and the university. This is a place that’s given to them, and they want to give back.”
It was a full circle kind of opportunity for many of those who returned to the 40 Acres, reflecting on those who helped them during their Texas careers. Now, the responsibility has shifted, and Longhorn All-American and NFL veteran Alex Okafor shared his gratitude for the opportunity.
It's an example of the power of Texas Football and the Texas brand that so many of our guys come back and want to be a part of this. I had great conversations with former players who want to help our current players and the university. This is a place that's given to them, and they want to give back.Ricky Brown
“It’s our responsibility to help these current athletes,” noted Okafor. “I remember when I was in school and had guys like Brian Orakpo and Roy Miller that came back and taught me the game as they moved forward in their careers. So now, it’s my responsibility to do that for our younger guys. I’ve already been able to do that with guys like Charles Omenihu, Joseph Ossai and others. I’m just trying to give back to the guys currently in the program as much as I can.”
Giving back was something many of the returning Longhorns spoke about with pride. Michael Huff, a 2002-05 letterwinner who has spent the past several years as part of the current Texas Football staff, talked about his unique opportunity to give back on a daily basis.
“For me to still be able to give back to The University of Texas and Texas Football players means a lot to me,” Huff, the 2005 Thorpe Award winner and NFL veteran, mentioned. “I get to give back to my alma mater. My blood, sweat and tears are on the same field these current guys play on. For me to be able to give back in this environment to the university that I love and the players that I love, it’s really special.”
It was a Longhorn family reunion at the Orange-White Spring game ?? pic.twitter.com/4rZKZXnF3R
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 19, 2023
Thursday’s practice in DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium gave the lettermen an up-close glimpse of the 2023 team in action ahead of the Spring Game. The excitement for the upcoming season was already there. Being so close to the team’s preparations added even more fuel to the fire, and those in attendance marveled at the talent all over the field.
“The talent just jumps off the board,” added Okafor. “I think talent-wise this team just looks completely different than it did a couple of years ago. That’s what I’m most excited about.”
Drew Kelson, a 2004-07 letterwinner and linebacker on Texas’ 2005 National Championship team, echoed Okafor’s statements.
“These kids are bigger, faster and more explosive,” Kelson followed. “They’re coming in ready, so it will be exciting to see what they can do.”
For me to still be able to give back to The University of Texas and Texas Football players means a lot to me. I get to give back to my alma mater. My blood, sweat and tears are on the same field these current guys play on. For me to be able to give back in this environment to the university I love and the players that I love, it's really special.Michael Huff
Kelson understandably had his eyes glued on the defense. He talked about multiple position groups, but was focused on the linebackers, in particular. He was impressed with both the size and skill of this year’s group. Senior Jaylan Ford, who led the team with 119 tackles in 2022, definitely caught Kelson’s attention as a returning force for this year’s team.
“I’m excited to see how Jaylan Ford leads this group,” Kelson remarked. “I can’t wait to see what they can do, especially with those big defensive linemen in front of them. I was talking with (Michael) Huff, and this defense is something we’re really excited about.”
It didn’t take Okafor long when asked what stood out to him the most about this year’s team.
“Size, size, size,” summed up Okafor. “These guys are getting so big. I look at our interior guys. I played in high school, then at Texas, and then for nine years in the NFL, and I think the interior of this football team is the biggest interior I’ve ever seen up front. That’s not an exaggeration. I’ve played in the league, and guys don’t get that big. We have so much size on this team. Now it just needs to translate to the field, and we’re all excited to see that.”
It was great to have so many Lifetime Longhorns back home for Letterman's Weekend! ?? @txtassociation pic.twitter.com/0yMj0NCuDP
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 17, 2023
Longhorns for life ??
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 13, 2023
Thank you to all the former Lettermen who came out to today’s practice! @txtassociation pic.twitter.com/HoqZb8Op5O
There were plenty of compliments about the players, but it didn’t stop there. Several returners had plenty of praise for the coaching staff and direction of the program, as well.
“I feel the momentum here,” said Norman Watkins, a standout defensive end for the Longhorns from 1991-94. “I feel the alignment and philosophy of this coaching staff, and everyone seems aligned, from the president of the university to Chris Del Conte to all the people working here. You just feel the excitement, and they’re doing things the right way.”
Watkins stood in awe while inside of DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Friday evening. He talked about the opportunity current players have to play in such a fantastic facility in front of 100,000-plus fans. He also highlighted how impressed he is with Coach Sarkisian and the impact this coaching staff has already had on Texas Football.
“You can tell (Sarkisian’s) a good guy who really cares for these kids and really wants to be here,” Watkins stated. “I love the fact that he’s running this program the right way, with integrity. He cares about these kids on the field, but also in the classroom. He has hired very quality coaches, and he has a redemption story himself. We’ve all gone through things in life, but to have him come here, be the man he is, and the way he represents this university, I just had to shake his hand and let him know that I’m proud.”
Coach Sark and the staff are building something special. Longhorn Nation is so excited, and I’m fired up too.Colt McCoy
You can tell (Sarkisian's) a good guy who really cares for these kids and really wants to be here. I love the fact that he's running this program the right way, with integrity. He cares about these kids on the field, but also in the classroom. He has hired very quality coaches, and he has a redemption story himself. We've all gone through things in life, but to have him come here, be the man he is, and the way he represents this university, I just had to shake his hand and let him know that I'm proud.Norman Watkins
Many of the lettermen now have families. Some went on to have successful NFL careers. Others went into coaching. Still others have found success in other avenues since their time in Austin. However, no matter where they’ve gone or how busy they’ve been, it’s clear that all eyes have remained on Texas Football and their alma mater.
“You know I’ve been watching,” admitted Okafor. “We’re Texas, so we’re always going to watch. Whether you’re in the league or doing something else, you’re going to be watching on Saturdays. I still stay heavily involved with the program, and I love the direction it’s going in.”
When it comes to the tradition and history of Texas Football, many returners spoke to the importance of the current coaching staff being 100 percent bought in. According to Huff, Coach Sarkisian set the tone and made that a point from day one.
“(Coach Sarkisian) has always embraced this tradition from the first day he came in here,” Huff remarked. “He obviously played against us in the national championship game (while with USC), and I know he was watching Texas from afar. He knew about the tradition, legacy and pride we have here. He’s the main one who wants all the former players and alumni back to be around practice and come to games, because he knows this place was built on the backs of former players who were great here. The coaches are obviously killing it in recruiting, as well, with top-five classes, so Coach Sark and his staff just came in here and hit the ground running.”
Texas Football is in good hands, and the current team has many great resources to lean on and learn from as they go through their football journeys. Through the wins, losses, records, championships and other experiences, it’s clear that Texas Football provided the lettermen with incredible life lessons and an opportunity to win in both football and life.
“When you come through this program with the level of excellence that you aspire to achieve and the standard being what it is here, it stays with you and becomes part of your software,” Brown concluded. “I feel like that’s what we know and something all of us former Texas Football players carry with us.”
With the Spring Game completed and the 2023 season now just a few months away, the excitement and momentum just continue to build with Texas Football. It all begins on the second day of September when the Rice Owls come to town.
“I’m excited,” concluded Kelson. “Coach Sark, as a coach and person, his story is something I’m just proud to have representing us. The way he’s building this roster and the type of players he’s bringing in, both on and off the field, they’re buying in, and you can really see it.”
Longhorn Legend and current Arizona Cardinal quarterback Colt McCoy echoes those sentiments and brought his family out to take in this year’s Spring Game.
“Standing on the sidelines, I can feel the energy — from the team, the coaches and the fans,” said the two-time national player of the year and winningest QB in UT history. “The guys are big, strong and fast. Coach Sark and the staff are building something special, Longhorn Nation is so excited, and I’m fired up too.”
