Sports

Texas Football Coach Claps Back At Cam Newton Over Comments About $20 Million Roster

#Texas Longhorns
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Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian pictured beside Cam Newton.

© Tim Heitman-Imagn Images / © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK


Former Heisman winning quarterback Cam Newton recently had some interesting things to say about Steve Sarkisian’s ability to recruit players to the University of Texas. He doubted the coach’s message on building a culture in Austin.

Instead, he insinuated that NIL has been the leading factor. Without booster support, he doesn’t believe the Longhorns‘ roster would be nearly as loaded.

“Coach Sarkisian, all that s— is cool, building a culture does take time, but having the boosters attached to the University of Texas also helps,” Newton said in a recent episode of his 4th & 1 podcast. “C’mon… Any great coach knows that in order to be labeled a good coach, I need great players. Now days, these players are a great expense… Understand that the only way you’re able to assemble those rosters is by spending those bands.”

In many ways, he’s correct. NIL plays a major role in college football recruiting. The Longhorns spent as much as anyone for their roster this past season ($22.2M). Texas QB Quinn Ewers said as much at the NFL Combine last week.

“NIL was the reason I left my senior year [of high school] early.”

Ewers initially signed with Ohio State before transferring back home to Texas. He landed a large payday despite never attempting a pass for the Buckeyes. Those money-making opportunities continued in Austin.

But NIL wasn’t the only factor in a number of Longhorn players’ commitments. New starting QB Arch Manning spurned his dad and grandfather’s alma mater, Ole Miss, for the chance to play on The Forty Acres. He took very little money to do so.

That’s since changed as he moves along in his NCAA career, but he’s been adamant about the fact that NIL hasn’t impacted his decision making. Manning could’ve hit the portal while sitting behind Ewers the last two seasons. He chose not to do so.

Steve Sarkisian clapped back at Cam Newton.

He used a Kobe Bryant quote to do so.

While speaking at the NFL Combine, Sarkisian emphasized his ability to create a “culture of vulnerability” in Austin. The ability to be open and trusting of the process, he says, is the reason for their back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances.

NIL has its role, but the recruiting prowess and Texas message are what’s most important. Cam Newton doubts that.

Interestingly enough, Newton dealt with a pay-for-play scandal while at Auburn. He insists that relationships and team makeup were the reasons he chose the Tigers, not money. Now, he believes money is the be-all and end-all.

Texas is one of the richest schools in college football. NIL plays a part for a number of recruits. Steve Sarkisian wanted to make it known that money isn’t the only reason the Longhorns have been successful.