Texas TE Gunnar Helm’s growth epitomizes the development Steve Sarkisian would love to see from every Longhorn
Not many players have the maturity to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Most are focused on themselves. When Texas lost to Georgia two weeks ago, Texas tight end Gunnar Helm took a big-picture view of his surroundings. Asked how UT’s culture was equipped to handle a huge loss, Helm said, “It’s more crucial […]
Not many players have the maturity to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Most are focused on themselves.
When Texas lost to Georgia two weeks ago, Texas tight end Gunnar Helm took a big-picture view of his surroundings.
Asked how UT’s culture was equipped to handle a huge loss, Helm said, “It’s more crucial than ever.”
“It’s really important to bring the young guys along, especially guys that haven't been exposed to this before,” Helm said. “You know, it’s a college loss. We’re in the best conference in the country. Played a really good Georgia team. It's time to regroup, get back on the road and play a really good Vanderbilt team.”
WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE: Follow A to Z Sports’ Texas Longhorns channel on YouTube.
Helm had four catches for 46 yards, including one grab that went for 24, in the road win at Vanderbilt. Helm’s growth from developmental player to team leader epitomizes the type of growth coach Steve Sarkisian would love to see from every Longhorn.
“I've been really, really proud of Gunnar,” Sarkisian said. “He was in our inaugural recruiting class that signed in December (2020) and then I got hired in January. We had a little information on Gunnar in the recruitment process from the previous place we were at, but to watch his growth over four years … I think he's become a really complete tight end.”
The 6-foot-5 athlete from Englewood, Colo., is the textbook example of a player who came into a major college football factory, did everything that was asked and came out better for it.
Helm was ranked the third-best tight end prospect in Colorado and the seventh-best overall athlete in the state in the class of 2020. He stuck with UT through the coaching change and played on special teams as a freshman.
Helm started four games as a sophomore, but future Carolina Panther Ja’Tavion Sanders was ahead of him on the depth chart. Last season, Helm was honorable mention All-Big 12 and had 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
Through eight games this season, Helm leads the Horns with 419 receiving yards on 31 catches. Helm’s blocking will also be critical going forward as Texas tries to keep its running game from sporadic fits and starts.
“We saw glimpses of it last year,” Sarkisian said. “But what he’s been able to do this year has become a real weapon, a real target, a primary receiver and a guy that can not only catch the ball but can create explosive plays and can make people miss in the open field.”
Sarkisian credited Helm’s work with tight ends/special teams coach Jeff Banks and for his sheer determination to want to improve.
“He’s been in our program for four years, he’s been really a model citizen, the way he goes about his business,” Sarkisian said. “He’s one of our real team leaders. You know, he’s a guy that I know people look to on the team. He’s a great person.”
