Coach Steve Sarkisian’s team is riding on luxury! The University of Texas Longhorns football program is trying to lure top recruits. In 2023, the squad shelled out a massive $2.4 million on recruiting efforts, landing nine coveted players and becoming a national best in hosting recruits. This included a reported $280k spent on visits for star quarterback Arch Manning in terms of airfare and luxury stay. 

Sarkisian has revealed a new eye-catching strategy for recruiting players by teaming up with a sought-after car brand. The Longhorns have had a long-standing partnership with Lamborghini Austin as part of their NIL initiative. This partnership first gained attention a few years ago when running back Bijan Robinson made a deal with the car brand.

Seizing on the allure of luxury, Texas pulled out all the stops to impress the new recruits, showcasing a fleet of customized Lamborghinis in the team’s signature colors — orange, black, and white. The Instagram post, captioned “Texas brought out Lamborghinis for recruiting visitors,” captured SportsCenter’s attention, reposting it with the comment: “Texas is different.”

This extravagant display definitely caught everyone’s attention. Although some may question the cost, the intention was obvious — to show off the program’s wealth and attract top recruits. And it looks like the strategy is effective, as potential recruits have shown great interest in the display.

Steve Sarkisian rolls out a luxurious welcome for star recruits

Sarkisian is capitalizing on the new NIL rules to enhance Texas’ recruiting efforts. These rules enable student-athletes to earn money from endorsements, and universities can facilitate partnerships. Sarkisian is leveraging this by showcasing luxurious vehicles, not as a direct NIL deal, but as a way to demonstrate the potential lifestyle that student-athletes could have by joining the Longhorns.

The impact of the strategy is evident as four-star defensive lineman Josiah Sharma, who recently de-committed from the Washington Huskies, shared a glimpse of the Lamborghinis on his social media, hinting at his interest in Texas. This reaction and the growing list of top recruits considering Texas suggest that Sarkisian’s team is making a strong impression.

Apart from the four-star DL, top recruits like Michael Terry III and Kaleb Edwards are just a few other names on the list for Texas’ jam-packed June recruiting month. It’s reported that a whopping 45 potential stars are scheduled to visit the program. Will the Lamborghini welcome convert them into Longhorns?  Let’s see if Sarkisian’s gamble pays off in terms of top recruits.