New Texas coach Steve Sarkisian announced his decision Monday regarding the quarterback position. Actually, he announced two decisions.
Redshirt freshman Hudson Card will draw the season-opening start Saturday for the 21st-ranked Longhorns against 23rd-ranked Louisiana in Austin, Texas, but junior Casey Thompson will see action in the contest, too.
“We’ll continue to evaluate from there, but that’s the direction we’re going this weekend.” Sarkisian said.
The coach added, “Hudson is a very talented young man. He’s got great work ethic. It’s really not a knock on Casey. Both guys really started to perform well after that first scrimmage. It was a tough call, but I think, in general, you try to make the best decision for the program at that time. …
“The good part for both of our guys is that we’re improving on offense. Incorporating the tight ends has been helpful. The receiver picture is starting to clear itself up and what we have at running back. All in all, I think the offense is starting to elevate its play and it’s helping the quarterbacks.”
Thompson appeared in four games in 2019 and three games in 2020. Overall, the Oklahoma City native has completed 20 of 29 passes for 309 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.
Thompson’s top performance came in the 2020 Alamo Bowl, when he was 8 of 10 for 170 yards and four touchdowns after starter Sam Ehlinger exited due to an injury. Thompson led Texas to a 55-23 win over Colorado.
Card, an Austin native, was a highly touted prospect out of Austin’s Lake Travis High School. He has appeared in two career games for the Longhorns, completing 1-of-3 passes for five yards and rushing four times for 11 yards.
