AUSTIN, Texas — “I think we’re going to get a better version of a Ryan Wingo.”
The statement from Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian about his sophomore wide receiver after Saturday’s win over the San Jose State Spartans put into perspective the disappointing start to the 2025 season for one of the team’s most important offensive weapons.
After the departures of Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond, and
Silas Bolden, the Longhorns need a better version of Wingo amidst high expectations for the 6’2, 214-pounder’s development.
On 16 targets this season, Wingo has only six catches for 65 yards, failing to flash his elite explosiveness beyond a 28-yard reception up the seam as Texas went into desperation mode late in its season-opening loss to Ohio State. Wingo’s five other receptions have averaged just 7.4 yards per catch even though his average depth of target is 17.8 yards, according to Pro Football Focus.
The rapport between Wingo and redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning has looked off despite the confidence in their connection expressed by both players during the offseason — the sophomore pass catcher has been a frequent victim of Manning’s breakdowns in mechanics, from multiple crossing routes thrown at his feet or behind him to a late delivery and missed landmark on Manning’s interception against Ohio State to a ball nearly thrown into the stands against San Jose State as Manning scrambled out of the pocket.
Sarkisian hasn’t helped Wingo, either, as both opponents have seem well prepared for how the Texas play caller wants to attack them with his speedy wide receiver. Against Ohio State, a deep safety was waiting for Wingo’s post route and the cornerback peeled off the underneath route, leading Manning to make a desperate heave into double coverage. On the interception, the defensive back in coverage was so confident he knew the route Wingo was running that he baited Manning into the throw. On Saturday, a cornerback sitting at the depth of Wingo’s stem on a post route re-routed him so physically that it threw off the timing of the play badly enough that Manning’s throw was closer to the deep safety than it was to his intended target.
Those issues surrounding Wingo are starting impact the young wide receiver.
“I just think he’s pressing a little bit,” Sarkisian said on Monday.
It was most evident on a glance route against San Jose State when Wingo took his eyes off the ball before it arrived, contributed to a breakdown in his technique that resulted in a drop instead of an explosive play.
“He was already thinking he was making the safety miss in his mind because he’s practiced it so many times, and sometimes it’s, let’s just catch the ball and go play,” Sarkisian said.
The Texas head coach regards Wingo as one of the team’s most conscientious players with the St. Louis product’s consistent practice intensity one of the reasons Sarkisian cited during preseason camp as setting a high floor for Wingo. But right now, those qualities are working against him.
“He wants to do right, he’s in the right spots, he wants to make all his plays,” Sarkisian said. “Sometimes not trying so hard is the best avenue, just playing and relaxing. He’ll get there. I think that we all want him to get there sooner rather than later, and I know he does, too.”
Sarkisian continues to believe in the chemistry between Manning and Wingo despite the frequent misfires from the inexperienced quarterback.
“He’s a fantastic player. He’s a great teammate, and we need him, and I think he understands that,” Sarkisian said. “His rapport with Arch is really good, and so we’ll find his niche.”
