Washington football: 3 thoughts from Alamo Bowl win over Texas

2. The Texas Longhorns are still not back

Despite the apparent desire by many to claim that Texas is back, they continually show us on the field that they are not. Washington and Texas have played and won some massive games in the last half-century, and while UW appears to be on the cusp of a return to national prominence, Texas continues to be stuck in the same mud since they lost the 2010 national championship.

How does this keep happening?

Texas continually recruits top-10 classes full of projected stars that should develop into stars, and that’s the main problem. Year after year, Texas struggles to develop its players. I’m not sure if this is more on coaching or recruiting, but the facts are clear. Since 2015, the Longhorns have not had one single player drafted in the first round. While that will likely change this year with Bijan Robinson, that is still an astonishing statistic.

The next development question will be with Quinn Ewers. Ewers has the talent to be a first-round pick in next year’s draft but must refine his accuracy and ability to read the defense. An improved Ewers likely puts Texas in the hunt for a New Year’s Six bowl. If he struggles early, Texas may begin to hear fans and boosters clamoring for top overall recruit Arch Manning to get a shot.

It is a tricky situation and one that will likely decide the fate of head coach Steve Sarkisian’s future with Texas. Just don’t try to hold him back from a pregame entrance.