Texas Longhorns College Football Pregame Quote, 12/30/2023

Q. How do you feel about this big game in this college playoff Semifinal?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: I’m very confident. I’m used to these big games, playing throughout high school and stuff, so I’m very confident in myself and my teammates and I can’t wait to play.

Q: Coach [Steve] Sarkisian mentioned in the press conference that after quarterback, the tight end is the most important position in his offense. What do you think about that statement from Coach Sark?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: I definitely agree. We’ve got to know every route concept, every pass protection, every run block. Almost every route, you know, because we flex out at a different spot. So I definitely agree with what he said, for sure.

Q. We saw you at the Big 12 Championship, catching the football, making great blocks, and running the football. How did you feel about that running play and the big success that you had with that running play?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: Leading up to that moment when Coach Sark [Steve Sarkisian] called my number, I knew what it was going to be. So when he called my number, I just went and made my play.

Q. What have you seen from the Washington Huskies defense? What are the big challenges facing the Huskies defense?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: They have two good edge players that can get to the quarterback, so we’ve definitely got to watch out for them. Their front seven as a whole and their defense as a whole, they all play with each other. They play a line and they play their spots really well, so I think it’s going to be a great game.

Q. Quinn [Ewers] seems like a guy that doesn’t mind the backups getting the attention. How would you describe Quinn’s personality in terms of being laid back?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: He’s laid back, but he’s on point. He’s cool, calm, collected always, but he definitely understands when it’s time to get to business. So I definitely respect that and love that about him.

Q. There’s a lot that comes along with playing quarterback at the University of Texas, as you know, and last year, or before that, he got some criticism. How do you feel like he handled all of that?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: I think he handled it great, and he didn’t have to do too much. He showed it on the field this past season. He kind of had an injury that set him back this year, but I still think he bounced back after the injury, and I think he bounced back even harder this year. So I definitely think he stepped up and molded himself to who he is today.

Q. What kind of a leader would you say he is, vocal or not?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: Both. I tell people this all the time, he cut that mullet off, it’s a whole new Quinn [Ewers]. He really stepped up into that leadership role, like how a QB is supposed to be. I’m really thankful for him.

Q. You’ve been a key part of this offense. How much can be added, subtracted, how many different routes, different plays, different formations can you put in with the extra time that you guys have had to face Washington?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: You know, this extra time, it’s given us more time to hone in, not only on the defense, but ourselves. What we like to do, we’ve got to kind of stay with it, but kind of not stay with it at the same time, switch it up a little bit.

And Sark’s [Head Coach Steve Sarkisian] a great play caller. He’s coming up with plays every day, so it could be anything.

Q. What’s the quickest he’s ever come up with the plays? Over on the sideline drawing something up in-game? Give me the most random time he’s thrown out a new play for you guys.

JA’TAVION SANDERS: Actually, yesterday. He just came up to me and my other tight end Gunnar [Helm], and he was like, “We’re going to do this.” “Okay, Coach.” I’m not doing any arguing. I trust him.

Q. Are there any differences in how y’all are preparing for this game versus last year’s game against Washington?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: Yes and no. It’s a bigger game on a bigger stage, but our preparation throughout the week is the same. We don’t need to switch up from what we’ve been doing. So our preparation throughout the week has been the same.

But the mindset is kind of different. It’s a playoff game, not a bowl game. So we definitely have a different mindset coming into this game.

Q. How has the team been? What the team’s mood since you’ve been here?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: I think we’ve been rowdied up. It’s been a two, three-week break. I think we’re ready to get back in.

Q. With the long break, how do you stay focused and how do you get into the full swing of practice?

JA’TAVION SANDERS: Consistency for one, and you’ve got to have the hard, fast, physical practice. I feel like we’ve been doing that. Like midseason form practices, if you know what that means. That’s why I say I’m very confident in my teammates. We’ve had some of our best practices the whole season in this stadium, so I’m excited. I think it’s the confidence that not only myself, but my teammates have, our staff has. So I think it’s just a mindset thing that we’ve all kind of implemented throughout the team and ourselves, and I think we’re all just ready to go out there and show who the Texas Longhorns really are.