The 2021 season has been one many Longhorns fans wish to forget.
Texas is entering Thanksgiving week on a six-game losing streak and will miss their first bowl game since 2016. They will have one last chance to end the losing skid before entering what will be a very important offseason for head coach Steve Sarkisian.
The Longhorns will conclude their season at home on Black Friday against the Kansas State Wildcats. A win would go a long way as it would get the losing monkey off their backs and build some much-needed momentum into 2022.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, it is important to think about everything we are thankful for. It is very easy to stay tunnel-visioned on what is wrong with the football program, but Longhorns fans do have many things to appreciate.
Staying focused on the negatives does no one any good. Let’s take a look at five things Texas football fans can be thankful for:
Bijan Robinson
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Texas will return one of the best players in college football next season. Running back Bijan Robinson is the type of player every team in America wishes they had on their roster.
The sophomore had his 2021 season cut short due to an elbow injury against Kansas but still managed to put up elite numbers. Robinson accounted for over 1,400 total yards and 15 touchdowns during his ten games played this year.
He is the perfect guy to lead the Longhorns to a bounce-back 2022 season.
Xavier Worthy
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If any player should give Texas fans reason to trust Steve Sarkisian to rebuild this program it is Xavier Worthy.
The true freshman was the first true “Steve Sarkisian recruit” at Texas and he has been nothing short of sensational. Worthy is having the best season any freshman wide receiver has ever had at Texas. He shattered Roy Williams’ freshman record for yards and touchdowns.
If Sarkisian can find more Xavier Worthy level players, Texas will be competing for championships sooner rather than later.
The transfer portal
AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Texas needs impact players at almost every position on the field. The good news for Texas is the transfer portal is making it possible to find more plug-and-play type of players.
Three of the four last Heisman trophy winners all were past transfers. Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker is another transfer currently in the Heisman conversation.
Now the odds of Texas landing a Heisman trophy winner in the portal are low, but talent is available to add an immediate boost to the 2022 roster.
Texas has hit with transfers in recent memory. Calvin Anderson, Gary Johnson, Tre Watson and Kelian Robinson have all provided help in year one with the program.
AD Chris Del Conte
AP Photo/Michael Thomas
Athletic Director Chris Del Conte has been a game-changer for Texas athletics since coming over from TCU in 2017.
The university has upgraded facilities in swimming, softball, baseball, football and will be introducing a new basketball arena next fall.
Texas won the Director Cup last season for its success across all NCAA sports. The school saw 13 Big 12 titles and three national championships.
Del Conte filled a leadership role Texas was desperately missing since the retirement of Deloss Dodds.
Chris Beard and Vic Schaefer
AP Photo/Eric Gay
Any offseason without a bowl game is not fun. The Texas men’s and women’s basketball teams have a real chance for special seasons.
Each ranked inside the AP Top 25, both Chris Beard and Vic Schaefer’s squads will look to compete for a Big 12 championship and make a run for a national championship in March.
