Texas rolls out Lambos for recruits, but Steve Sarkisian says NIL is 'not priority'

Steve Sarkisian knows how to make headlines by being seen showing recruits lines of Lamborghinis parked outside the Texas football facility, each one gleaming in the Austin sun as top recruits arrive for their official visits. But if you ask the Longhorns’ head coach, what happens inside matters far more than the flash on the curb.

“We don't talk about NIL, or revenue share, or publicity rights until the very end,” Sarkisian said. “We want guys who are coming here for the school and the culture, not just the money.”

That’s a bold statement in the NIL era but Sarkisian isn’t shying away from the optics. In fact, between the high-end cars and his recruiting pitch speaks volumes about the way Texas is navigating the modern landscape using their elite resources but with old school values. 

In a now-viral video, Sarkisian stands at the end of a stretch of luxury vehicles. It's the kind of image that screams money, and Texas certainly isn’t hurting in that department. Backed by one of the most powerful donor bases in college football, the Longhorns have the NIL firepower to match anyone. But Sark insists that’s not the focus of the conversation at least not until players have bought into something bigger.

It’s a line that draws a clear distinction between Texas and some other big-name programs that lead with NIL promises. Sark’s message is clear: the Longhorns aren’t begging anyone to come, they're offering an opportunity to be part of something deeper.

And it seems to be working. Texas continues to stack highly ranked recruiting classes, with probably their most notable recruit is nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning Arch Manning. It's those type of players buying into a vision that combines tradition, modern swagger, and now, a looming debut in the SEC.

As college football continues to evolve, Texas is trying to thread the needle embracing the tools of the modern game while holding the line on what it believes still wins in the long run. That being its culture, connection, and commitment to excellence. 

Lamborghinis aside, Sarkisian is more interested in who’s behind the wheel and why they’re really here.