Anwar:
The Longhorn football team held a very encouraging players-only meeting on Monday, according to my sources.
That meeting was led by quarterback Casey Thompson, offensive lineman Denzel Okafor, running back Roschon Johnson and linebacker Juwan Mitchell, according to those close to the situation. I was told the purpose of the meeting was to check-in on everybody since the recent firing of Tom Herman and hiring of Steve Sarkisian. The leaders on the team wanted to gauge the morale of their teammates.
From what I was told, the meeting had a "good vibe." Some players were disappointed by Herman's departure and the possibility of their losing position coaches. I was told they said positive things about Herman and the opportunity to attend the University of Texas.
However, the players are excited about Sarkisian because of his success at Alabama. They expressed optimism that Sarkisian can replicate that success in Austin, and it appears the players are ready to embrace their new leader. It does not appear we will see the same resistance that initially occurred when players were not willing to accept Herman after Charlie Strong was fired.
The meeting ended with players agreeing to focus on strength and conditioning, and their goal is to return to campus in the best shape possible.