When Texas coach Steve Sarkisian arrived in Austin, he inherited a group ranked 64th nationally in total defense. The Longhorns were decent at stopping the run (38th nationally) but had a Swiss cheese secondary (108th nationally).

Four years later, Texas has the No. 1 defense in the SEC, a league known for defensive intensity. The Horns rank 13th nationally in stopping the run and first against the pass.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround for a program that had some of the worst defensive units in school history during the 2010s. Fans who suffered through 2015 and 2016 should receive free season tickets.

On Thursday, Sarkisian outlined why he thinks the Texas defense has blossomed the last four seasons under defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and his tight-knit staff. That unit carried the Horns in November and will have to put up another strong performance in the College Football Playoffs.

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Texas’ first-round foe, No. 12 seed Clemson, features a dynamic quarterback in Cade Klubnik who is an Austin native itching to make a big statement at Royal-Memorial Stadium.

“I think staff continuity has been a huge component to that,” Sarkisian said. “And I know, granted, we lost a couple coaches off of last year’s staff, and we have a couple new faces. But I think the continuity with PK, (Terry) Joseph and Blake Gideon has been huge from a players’ perspective. The messaging has remained consistent.

“I do like the additions of Johnny Nansen and Kenny Baker. I think they've been very helpful.”

Sarkisian then pivoted to the overall development of players who were already on the roster.

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“Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton, Barryn Sorrell, Jahdae Barron,” Sarkisian said. “You’ve seen those guys grow in our program year after year after year. They’ve improved.”

The Horns have hit on multiple defensive recruiting targets, like Anthony Hill Jr., Malik Muhammad and Colin Simmons and picked up key transfers like Andrew Mukuba and Trey Moore.

Sarkisian also pointed to one of the toughest aspect for any recruit: how do you find a diamond in the rough? Former Westlake standout Michael Taaffe is a prime example. Taaffe developed from walk-on into a starter who now could someday land a spot in the NFL.

“Here’s a guy we didn't offer a scholarship to. He had scholarship offers other places. We offered a preferred walk-on to,” Sarkisian said. “And then to not limit a guy, because he's a walk-on and say, well, that’s just all he is.”

“I think there's a lot of levels to it, but I think at the end of the day, where we've gotten to now is a group that believes in itself, plays with a ton of confidence,” Sarkisian said. “We take a lot of pride in stopping the run, and that’s been that way for years. We’ve had to continually work on the pass defensive things and what’s been going on in the back end, but also tying that into the front and our ability to affect the quarterback now is better than it's ever been.

“We’re playing better past defense than we ever have, but we continue to play really good run defense, and this year, more than ever, we’re creating turnovers. So I think it’s been steady growth and consistency from a messaging standpoint, but really proud of those guys, of what they've been able to do so far this season.”