The Texas Longhorns need two preseason All-American playmakers to stop ‘pressing’, relax, and play football
On Monday, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t flinch when asked about the lackluster play of two of his best on the roster. Ryan Wingo and Colin Simmons have gotten off to slow starts in 2025. Sarkisian thinks it is thanks in large part to “pressing”.“Sometimes, not trying so hard is the best avenue, and […]
On Monday, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t flinch when asked about the lackluster play of two of his best on the roster. Ryan Wingo and Colin Simmons have gotten off to slow starts in 2025. Sarkisian thinks it is thanks in large part to “pressing”.
“Sometimes, not trying so hard is the best avenue, and just playing and relaxing is [the way to go],” Sarkisian said.
So far in 2025, Wingo has just six catches for 65 yards. A lot of the inconsistencies are due to some bracket and double coverage, but he has also had some drops.
Steve Sarkisian expects Ryan Wingo to bounce back this week against UTEP.
“I think on that glance throw [that Wingo dropped], he was already thinking about making the safety miss, because he’s practiced it so many times,” Sarkisian said.
“I just think he’s pressing a little bit,” Sarkisian added. “Ryan is one of – if not the most conscientious kids on our roster. He works really hard. Like nobody practices harder than this guy.
“He wants to do right. He’s in the right spots. He wants to make all his plays. Sometimes, not trying so hard is the best avenue. He’ll get there.”
Arch Manning is also confident Wingo is going to respond to this early season adversity.
“Ryan’s a really good player, and he’s going to make a lot of plays for us this season. I’m not worried about a drop. I told him, ‘Look, I don’t care. No one cares. Let’s keep going.’ And he’s going to do just that. That’s the type of player he is.”
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Others feel the same way about Colin Simmons, too.
Texas EDGE Ethan Burke is not worried at all about the preseason All-American making plays this week and beyond.
“He [Simmons] was balling out all last year,” Burke said. “It’s the first two games. It’s a long season, and I think he’s going to be just fine. Something I would say, is just be confident and play fast, and I think he will.”
Sarkisian and the Texas staff didn’t mince words with Simmons Saturday and challenged him at halftime. The former five-star prospect responded.
“There was tough love Saturday. We took him out. He didn’t start the second half. I mean, I think we got his attention. I think he had the three penalties in the first half. He didn’t have any in the second half, and he got half a sack.
“So, I just think you settle down. You don’t get 10 sacks in one play, you know. And you play within the confines of the defense.”
