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Steve Sarkisian proved right as former Texas playmaker makes major career announcement
Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Texas head coach once thought Savion Red could be the "secret sauce" who could fix his offense's red zone woes, but the playmaker didn't stick around long enough to fulfill those hopes. Red totaled 36 touches in two years with the Longhorns before bolting to Nevada.

He announced this week that he's back in the transfer portal after a successful breakout year with the Wolfpack. The former receiver-turned-running back carried the ball 119 times for 687 yards and eight scores in 2024.

There was once a time when Texas wasn't seeing unlikely stars emerge in the backfield as they have this spring, and Red was a possible sleeper as a former three-star recruit. It didn't pan out as hoped, and he found a better path to playing time with Nevada. 

He's now looking to jump back up in competion with the spring transfer portal open. Sarkisian, in turn, was proved right that Red could play at a high level, even if it didn't happen at Texas.

Originally a wide receiver, Red made the switch to running back during his sophomore year under Sarkisian, who believed this change would provide more opportunities to showcase Red's athletic talent and adaptability on the field.

Coming out of high school, Red was a respected three-star recruit, receiving offers from prominent schools like Kansas, TCU, and SMU. As he currently explores the transfer portal, his three-star rating remains consistent according to 247Sports, highlighting how colleges see his potential to make an impact.

Prior to his brief yet dynamic experience at Nevada, Red was part of a competitive backfield at Texas, sharing the spotlight with players such as Jaydon Blue and CJ Baxter. 

During his high school career at Grand Prairie, Red displayed his versatility and athleticism by playing both wide receiver and quarterback. In his senior year, he recorded impressive statistics with a total of 985 yards and eight touchdowns through the air, solidifying his status as a multi-talented athlete poised to tackle the challenges of college football.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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