After Steve Sarkisian & Co. hired him, a Texas source praised the Longhorns’ “elite recruiter.”

In the competitive world of college football, recruiting is everything. Coaches and their staffs are often judged not just by their win-loss record but by their ability to bring in top-tier talent that can turn a good team into a championship contender. At the heart of every successful recruiting class are the recruiters—the coaches who have the skill to sell their program, develop relationships, and bring in the athletes who will make the difference between mediocrity and greatness. When Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns hired Tashard Choice as their new running backs coach and recruiter, it became clear that they were not only strengthening their coaching staff but also making a calculated move to elevate their recruiting efforts.

In this article, we will explore the decision behind hiring Tashard Choice, the praise he received from Texas insiders, and the impact his recruitment skills will have on the program moving forward. As one of the most respected recruiters in college football, Choice brings a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of the game, and a unique ability to connect with athletes, making him an invaluable addition to Steve Sarkisian’s staff. By diving into his background, recruiting acumen, and what makes him a standout coach, we’ll unpack why this hiring is a crucial step in Texas’ effort to return to the top of college football.

Tashard Choice’s Background: A Rising Star in College Football Coaching

Before diving into the specifics of what makes Tashard Choice such a powerful recruiter, it’s important to understand his background both as a player and a coach. Tashard Choice is a former standout running back who played for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from 2004 to 2007, earning All-ACC honors in 2007. His college career was marked by his dynamic playmaking ability, leadership, and versatility on the field. He finished his career at Georgia Tech with over 3,000 yards rushing and more than 30 touchdowns, showcasing his skill as a multi-dimensional back. He was the centerpiece of Georgia Tech’s offense during his tenure and left an indelible mark on the program’s history.

After a brief stint in the NFL, where he played for the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Football Team, Choice transitioned into coaching, quickly rising through the ranks due to his understanding of the game, leadership abilities, and natural rapport with players. His coaching journey started as a running backs coach, but it wasn’t long before his recruiting abilities were recognized. His knack for identifying talent and his ability to develop strong relationships with recruits made him an ideal fit for a role that combined coaching with recruitment.

Before joining Texas, Choice had a notable tenure at Georgia Southern, where he served as the running backs coach and was instrumental in helping build the foundation for one of the most successful programs in the Sun Belt Conference. His success at Georgia Southern led to stints at major programs like TCU (Texas Christian University) and Arkansas, where he continued to build a reputation as one of the top recruiters in the country. His ability to identify and develop talent, particularly in the running back position, helped elevate those programs.

What made him stand out, however, was his genuine ability to connect with athletes. It’s one thing to be able to coach up young men on the field, but it’s another to relate to them, understand their motivations, and make them believe in the vision of the program. That unique combination of coaching and recruiting skill made him an obvious choice for Sarkisian’s staff, and the Texas program knew that bringing him aboard was a significant move to bolster their recruiting efforts.

Texas Insider Praise: “Elite Recruiter” Describes Choice’s Impact

When Texas announced the hiring of Tashard Choice, the praise came pouring in from all corners of the program. A Texas source, deeply familiar with the inner workings of the program, described Choice as an “elite recruiter” and praised his ability to establish strong relationships with recruits, their families, and high school coaches. The source emphasized that Choice’s reputation preceded him, as he had already proven himself as one of the best in the country at attracting top talent to his programs.

The source also noted Choice’s ability to bring a high-energy, high-character approach to recruiting, something that resonated with the type of players Steve Sarkisian wanted to bring to Texas. According to the insider, Choice’s reputation as a “people person” was one of the main reasons he was brought on board—he is known for his ability to make recruits feel valued and respected, and that personal touch can be critical in sealing the deal with top prospects. The ability to build trust quickly and to demonstrate a genuine interest in players and their futures is something that cannot be overstated in the competitive world of recruiting.

What sets Choice apart is his ability to identify not only top-tier talent but also those players who are the right fit for the program’s culture. Texas is known for attracting a wealth of talent, but it’s not just about finding the best athletes—it’s about finding athletes who will thrive in Sarkisian’s system and contribute to the program’s long-term goals. The Texas insider highlighted that this understanding of fit was one of the factors that made Choice such a valuable asset to the coaching staff.

In a highly competitive recruiting environment, where top programs are constantly vying for the best talent, having a recruiter who can establish relationships, gain trust, and close deals is critical. Choice’s ability to do all of these things has made him one of the most highly regarded recruiters in the nation.

Recruiting Strategy and Approach: What Makes Choice So Effective?

At the core of Tashard Choice’s recruiting success is his approach to relationship-building. In a landscape where coaches and recruiting staffs must spend hours traveling and talking to high school coaches, players, and families, building genuine relationships is the key to landing top recruits. Choice has a unique ability to make recruits feel comfortable and understood. Whether it’s talking to a running back about their potential on the field or discussing their academic goals, Choice takes the time to build trust and get to know each recruit as a person.

Choice is not only focused on bringing in the most talented players; he also emphasizes the importance of character and work ethic. He believes that the best recruits are those who will fit seamlessly into the culture of the program, and this mentality is part of what has made him so successful. His ability to spot potential beyond just physical attributes has been a hallmark of his recruiting style. In a conversation with a Texas source, it was mentioned that Choice focuses on bringing in athletes who will work hard, buy into the program, and make the team better not only through their talent but through their leadership and attitude.

Another key aspect of Choice’s success is his deep understanding of the Texas recruiting footprint. Texas, and the surrounding regions of the South and Midwest, are filled with high school football talent, and Choice’s knowledge of these recruiting grounds gives him a significant advantage. He has extensive experience in identifying standout athletes from both high school and junior college programs, making him well-equipped to target talent at all levels. By leveraging his relationships with high school coaches and key figures in the Texas high school football community, Choice can identify under-the-radar recruits who might be overlooked by other programs.

Choice’s recruiting efforts are not limited to just one position. While his primary focus as a coach is on the running back position, his recruiting acumen extends across multiple positions. His ability to bring in talent at every position, particularly in skill areas like running back and wide receiver, has been crucial to Texas’ success on the recruiting trail. His work with running backs, in particular, has helped solidify Texas as a destination for top-tier athletes in that position.

How Tashard Choice’s Recruiting Skills Will Elevate Texas

Tashard Choice’s hiring is part of a broader strategy by Steve Sarkisian to continue building Texas into a national contender. As Texas prepares to transition to the SEC in 2024, recruiting has become an even bigger focus for the program. With the increased competition in the SEC, bringing in the best talent is essential if Texas wants to remain competitive in the country’s most powerful conference.

One of the most important aspects of Choice’s impact on the Texas Longhorns is his ability to recruit nationally while also keeping a strong focus on the talent in Texas itself. The Lone Star State has always been a rich recruiting ground for the Longhorns, but the influx of other major programs targeting Texas recruits means that the Longhorns need to do everything they can to keep the best talent in-state. Tashard Choice’s ties to the area, his experience with Texas high school coaches, and his knowledge of the talent pipeline all give Texas an advantage in securing top-tier recruits.

Moreover, Choice’s success at Georgia Southern, TCU, and Arkansas means that he is already well-versed in competing against major programs for recruits. His experience with recruiting against programs like Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, and others has made him comfortable in high-pressure situations. He knows how to evaluate talent under intense scrutiny and how to close on high-caliber recruits, which will prove to be invaluable as Texas competes for top talent in the SEC.