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Texas Longhorns head football coach Steve Sarkisian still has one more game to play in his 2025 season, but like every other program in the country, he must recruit for 2026 and beyond at the same time.
That process has obviously changed now across all college athletics following the introduction of name, image and likeness (NIL), which has turned recruiting into a financial game.
But one of the many holes in the system, at least in Sarkisian’s eyes, is the lack of regulation surrounding the agents these athletes hire to negotiate those NIL deals before they go to school.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian holds the Horns Up as he walks into the stadium before the SEC football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies on November 28, 2025 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (David Buono/Icon Sportswire)
Before the Longhorns take on the Michigan Wolverines in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Sarkisian discussed that aspect of recruiting, suggesting some of the agents aren’t even qualified to negotiate deals that could be in the millions.
“Which agent are you dealing with? There are some agents who are rational and then there are some where it’s their first time ever being an agent,” Sarkisian told reporters, per OnTexasFootball. “I don’t even know if they’re licensed to be an agent and all of a sudden they become an agent because we don’t have a certification process in college football where the NFL you have to be certified. In college football it could be their college roommate their freshman year who’s their agent right now.”
Sarkisian was asked what Texas looks to do this offseason to replace some key players, including running back Quintrevion Wisner, who entered the transfer portal. Wisner announced the move last Friday, joining CJ Baxter and Rickey Stewart Jr. as Texas running back transfers.
While Sarkisian explained how the team needs others to be strategic, identifying what they need versus what they want, as well as looking at the “luxuries” they have on the roster, he also made sure to mention the 2026 high school recruiting class to watch.
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian speaks during SEC Football Media Days at the Omni Dallas Hotel on July 17, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Either way, Texas continues to browse the transfer portal and Sarkisian knows he will have to continue to have phone calls with “agents” going forward.
“Again, I think there’s nothing wrong with that,” Sarkisian said after reflecting on how finances have come into play when it comes to building a school roster. “We’ve just got to tighten up. Hopefully we can get there sooner rather than later, because again, I’m probably going to be on the phone with an agent today who’s going to throw a number at me that I’m going to say, ‘Good luck, I hope you get it. If you don’t, call us. But I can’t do that number.”
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian on the field prior to a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Unlike other lower-level programs, the University of Texas has some huge NIL funds to work with. In fact, the highest-paid NIL athlete in college football is their quarterback, Arch Manning, who will remain with the squad heading into 2026. He hopes to finish strong in his first bowl game start on New Year’s Eve.
Texas led the way with a massive NIL budget for the 2025 season, ranking higher than any team in college football at $22.2 million, according to 247 Sports.
