Since Steve Sarkisian has taken over as the head coach at Texas, high school quarterbacks have been drawn to play for him.
During his two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, Sarkisian worked with two quarterbacks (Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones) who will be selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
Four-star 2022 quarterback Tanner Bailey is no different. The Gordo, Alabama, native is a huge fan of what Sarkisian and new Texas quarterbacks coach A.J. Milwee did during their time in Tuscaloosa and knows it would be difficult to say no if they came calling.
“It would be really, really hard to pass up honestly,” Bailey told LonghornsWire on Monday. Playing for Coach Sark and Coach Milwee and watching them develop guys, it is probably the best in the business right now. I know a bunch of quarterbacks right now want to go play for coach Sark. So for me, it would be really hard to pass up.”
When Sarkisian and Milwee were at Alabama, Bailey had a “good relationship” with both but has not been in much contact since the move down.
“I’ve talked with Coach Milwee and I talked to Coach Sark a bit but not much since they have been at Texas,” Bailey said. “I’ve talked to a graduate assistant, he texts me probably weekly. I know they’re busy settling in.”
If contact with Texas does pick up, Bailey would be open to visiting Austin. He has never been and would “for sure” make a trip if the Longhorns picked up their interest in him. The quarterback understands what Texas has to offer with Sarkisian as the head coach.
“You have the opportunity to go down there and play for a school that has a winning tradition, great coaches, great facilities, and a great football town. It checks the box on everything for me.”
Texas has yet to offer the four-star quarterback. 18 other schools have extended offers and Bailey cites Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Louisville, and Mississippi State as the biggest players in his recruitment at the moment. However, there is no clear leader.
“I am pretty much open to anything right now. With COVID, I am just taking it day by day honestly.”
On the 247Sports composite, Bailey ranks as the No. 210 player nationally and the No. 11 player from the state of Alabama. Listed as a pro-style quarterback, the four-star is the No. 8 player at his position.
Bailey missed the beginning of his junior season due to a collarbone injury. However, Bailey said it’s not bothering him anymore and he is back normal.
“It’s feeling really good,” he said. “I’m back to 100% now. I missed a few games with it but when I came back for the playoffs, I haven’t had any problems with it.”
In the 10 games Bailey played in, he completed 69% of his passes and threw for 2,444 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Gordo High School finished the season 14-2 and made it to the 4A AHSAA state championship.