Saying “we’re a really young team” isn’t a strong excuse anymore, especially with the transfer portal available. Gerry has emphasized time and again that teams now have the tools to bring in experienced players to fill gaps, add leadership, and accelerate development. “Youth” doesn’t have to equal inexperience when roster-building resources exist.
It’s not just about raw talent either — Texas has one of the most talented rosters in the country, and a third-year QB in Arch Manning. If the excuse is that youth prevents consistency, it doesn’t explain why other programs, often younger or similarly inexperienced, are able to overcome mistakes and generate momentum. In modern college football, relying on youth as a shield for mediocrity is weak reasoning. Real progress comes from coaching, scheme, and accountability — not hoping mistakes eventually self-correct.