Steve Sarkisian Sets Record Straight on $40 Million Roster Rumor

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated May 27, 2025 7:16 PM ET

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is fresh off two consecutive trips to the College Football Playoff and boats a 38-17 record.

On Tuesday via SiriusXM, Sarkisian was prepared to set the record straight. On April 30, a report via Houston Chronicle's Kirk Bohls surfaced stating Texas was going to spend $35-40 million on its 2025 roster.

Sarkisian called the reporting irresponsible and joked that Texas would have a much better team if that were the case. He took it further and wished that he had an extra $15 million to use on the roster.

The head coach enters year five with the program in 2025.

“It was a little bit of irresponsible reporting,” Sarkisian said. “It was one anonymous source said that’s what our roster was. I wish I had $40 million on our roster, we’d probably be a better team than we are. The idea to think that a lot of other schools aren’t spending money to get players. I mean, it’s the state of college football right now. It is what it is. Hey, we’re fortunate, don’t get me wrong. We’ve got great support… I wish I had another $15 million or so, though. I might have a little better roster.”

Sarkisian's roster had a surplus of talent leave for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Longhorns had 12 players selected, breaking last year's record by one. Players like Quinn Ewers, Jaydon Blue, Kelvin Banks Jr., and others are no longer with Texas.

Texas is focused on recruiting at the moment, with a recent projection to land receiver Kaylon Finley, the son of former Longhorns and Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley.

In other recent recruiting news, Texas five-star quarterback commit Dia Bell was announced in the roster for the Elite 11 Finals.

Texas opens the 2025 season with the Ohio State Buckeyes on August 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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