Steve Sarkisian had high praise Monday for sophomore Ryan Wingo’s development. The St. Louis native was a raw, athletic specimen last year but not yet a complete wide receiver. Sarkisian compared his progress to that of junior linebacker Anthony Hill, who has undergone a similar journey. [Sign up for Inside Texas TODAY and get the […]
Steve Sarkisian had high praise Monday for sophomore Ryan Wingo’s development. The St. Louis native was a raw, athletic specimen last year but not yet a complete wide receiver. Sarkisian compared his progress to that of junior linebacker Anthony Hill, who has undergone a similar journey.
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In 2023, Hill was mostly playing “chase,” pursuing the ball carrier, but by 2024 he had added coverage and run-stopping skills—growth that has him on track to be a three-year player in Austin and Texas’ next first-round pick.
Wingo flashed early in the 2024 season. When he popped off the screen, it was usually on simple slants, screens and reverses. The Longhorns also took their share of deep shots, but he and Quinn Ewers struggled to connect outside the hashmarks. Most of his touches came in space, as Sarkisian looked for ways to showcase Wingo’s natural athleticism in burnt orange.
“These guys come in and we can’t get them ready to do everything, so you’re just trying to put them in position to do some of the things that they do well,” Sarkisian said. “Ryan was a great example of that a year ago. We ran reverses and shots downfield with him. All the while, we’re trying to develop his game to be a more complete player.”
The numbers back that up. According to PFF, 11 of Wingo’s 29 receptions came behind the line of scrimmage, and he graded above 90 on targets over the middle within 20 yards. It was on the outside where the grades dropped. But, with Arch Manning’s skillset, an offseason of development and Wingo’s own work ethic, Sarkisian believes it’s time to expand his game.
“To his credit, like Anthony (Hill), the most important thing in Ryan Wingo’s life is being a great football player,” Sark added. “He pours into it every single day, and the result is he’s become a better player. I think that now it’s our job to try to put him in more positions to have some success.”
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Expect a bigger workload for one of Manning’s favorite teammates this fall: more receptions downfield outside the hashmarks and more targets overall. If Texas wants to hit its ceiling, Wingo will be a key part of it.
Category: General Sports
