The Texas Longhorns are gearing up for a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against the Washington Huskies on Monday, Jan. 1. That game could be the final game of the Longhorns being a member of the Big 12, as they will be moving on to the SEC starting next season.

While talking to the SEC Network about that CFP matchup, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian spoke about the caliber of players during the transition to the SEC.

"The caliber of players we're trying to recruit here are of the highest level. … You want to be in that league that competes in the highest level."@TexasFootball is coming to the SEC and @CoachSark is ready for the challenge ? pic.twitter.com/FF4JFOLM39

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 20, 2023

“I’ve always thought that it is big, because the caliber of players we are trying to recruit here are of the highest level,” Sarkisian said when asked about how moving to the SEC has helped Texas in recruiting. “Naturally, when you are that type of competitor and you want to compete at the highest level, you want to be in that league that competes at the highest level. The SEC is a tremendous challenge, and week in and week out you have to make sure you have players who can compete at the level.”

The matchup against Washington figures to be a thrilling game, and is a matchup of the 2022 Alamo Bowl that Washington won, 27-20. Both sides in this matchup have several players back from that game, and should help make Monday a great day for college football fans.

Mark Kern