Texas coach Steve Sarkisian says transfer receiver Sterling Berkhalter is turning heads in spring practice, giving the Longhorns another big-play option.
Texas football added plenty of buzz through the transfer portal, and while much of the spotlight has gone to Cam Coleman, another new wide receiver is starting to generate real momentum in Austin.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian made it clear this week that Sterling Berkhalter is making a strong early impression during spring practice, and that could matter in a crowded Longhorns receiver room.
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Berkhalter arrived at Texas after a winding college journey that took him from North Carolina A&T to Cincinnati, then to Wake Forest, where he put together a productive 2025 season.
The 6-3, 203-pound receiver caught 30 passes for 416 yards and two touchdowns for the Demon Deacons, averaging 13.9 yards per catch. Now, he’s trying to carve out a role in a Texas offense loaded with talent and expectations.
Sarkisian said Berkhalter’s experience has helped speed up the transition.
“He brings experience,” Sark said on Tuesday. “He played a very similar system at Wake Forest and had a very productive year last year for them. I think the experience. I think the understanding schematically of what we do. I think he brings maturity. He’s a very no-nonsense guy. He’s very coachable.”
That kind of praise matters, especially on a roster featuring high-profile targets like Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo. Berkhalter may not have arrived with the same hype, but he’s giving Texas something every contender needs: dependable depth with upside.
Sarkisian also pointed to Berkhalter’s playmaking in live work this spring.
“The thing that he’s been doing this spring is he’s been making plays,” Sarkisian said. “He’s been making plays on 50/50 balls. I feel very comfortable when he’s in right now. And I think that’s the sense of maturity and confidence and a guy that’s been doing it a while. So he’s been a very nice addition.”
If spring is any indication, Berkhalter may be more than just a depth piece for Texas.
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