Texas Longhorns Screen Game

Texas has long leaned on a well-developed screen game, and in 2024, it remained a core part of their offensive identity. Roughly 13% of the Longhorns’ play calls came from the screen family this past season, a number that swells when you include shot plays designed off screen action. In a landscape full of pressure-heavy defenses, the screen game acts as both counterpunch and control. This piece breaks down how Texas used screens not just to neutralize blitzes, but to create explosive opportunities within their offensive structure.

The “Sark Screen”: Controlled Chaos with a Purpose

One of the staples of Steve Sarkisian’s offense is the now widely copied “Sark Screen.” It’s a beautifully layered concept that manipulates defensive flow through run-action and quarterback movement. The design uses strong run keys, OL movement and backfield mesh, paired with a quarterback half-roll to sell wide zone or boot. Just when the defense commits downhill or over-pursues, the quarterback whips back and delivers the screen to the back. With linemen and receivers already on the move, it becomes a race to leverage. It’s a high-investment screen with a lot of moving parts, but when executed cleanly, it punishes aggressive defenses that don’t stay gap-sound or lose eyes on the back.

Swing Screen with a Twist: Building Angles with TE Motion

The swing screen is a classic, a staple since the Reggie Bush era and likely long before. At its core, it’s about getting your back in space fast, on the perimeter, with blockers out front and a runway to hit it full speed. Texas kept that foundation intact in 2024 but added a smart wrinkle. Sark dialed up a version using two tight ends and pre-snap motion to create a crack-pull look. The motion sets up a natural leverage advantage, allowing the receivers to crack while a “pulling” the tight end outside for the corner. It’s a simple concept dressed up with modern window dressing, and effective because it builds angles, not just assignments.

One of the more advanced layers to Texas’ screen game is how they build explosive shots off familiar looks. Against Florida, Sark dialed up a variation with motion to suggest the swing screen, a concept they’d shown multiple times on tape. But instead of the ball going wide, the receivers released into switch verticals. The defense bit on the screen look, and both defensive backs jump the inside vertical. That left the outside seam untouched because of a blown coverage, created entirely by formation and eye candy. Result: six points on a beautifully disguised shot.

Y Screen: Getting the Tight End Involved

Texas doesn’t limit their screen game to just backs and receivers, they make sure the tight end gets touches too. On this play, the Longhorns use a quarterback roll toward the Trips side to generate defensive flow. Then, they snap back and throw the screen to the tight end on the opposite side. The backside OL have a much easier path to leverage thanks to the roll action, setting up clean angles for their blocks. The result? A tight end catching the ball with a convoy and scoring from seven yards out. It’s a perfect example of using misdirection and player versatility to expand your screen menu.

Tunnel Screen: Clean Execution from an Empty Look

The tunnel screen is a known quantity, a foundational screen that nearly every offense carries. Texas keeps it in the toolbox, but they dress it up with personnel and movement. On this rep, the Longhorns motion the running back out to create an empty set, then hit him with the tunnel. It’s not a revolutionary design, but the value is in the execution. Well-timed release, blockers in position, and the back attacking downhill with space. Sometimes simple is best, especially when you’ve got athletes who can turn a high-percentage throw into chunk yardage.

Now Screen: Motion + Leverage = Space

The Now screen is as old school as it gets, snap it, throw it, let your athlete work. Texas keeps it in the mix, but adds their own motion-based flair. On this snap, they pair two pre-snap motions: a full field “zoom” motion followed by a quick transition into “Cheetah” motion, the look that’s become a staple in recent years. The goal? Create blocking angles and force the defense to reset on the fly. Execution wasn’t perfect here, most of the blocks were missed, but that’s the beauty of screens. You don’t always need a clean hat on a hat. Sometimes just disrupting pursuit lanes is enough to spring the play.

Tailback Screen: Old School Answers for Modern Defenses

Every now and then, Texas breaks out the classic tailback screen, slow play by the OL, sell the pass, then leak the back underneath. You don’t see it as often these days, especially with so much emphasis on perimeter screens and RPOs. But as the pendulum swings back toward heavier boxes and downhill run fits, don’t be surprised if this old-school staple finds new life. It's a reminder that sometimes, the best answers aren’t new, they’re just well-timed.

Bubble + Shot: Constraint and Counter in One Package

Everyone’s seen the bubble screen, quick throw to the slot, blockers out front, force the defense to cover the width of the field. But what Texas does well is pairing it with vertical threats. In this example, the bubble look is just bait. After showing it multiple times, they build a shot off it. It’s a constraint play flipped into a counterpunch, and it hits because the defense has to honor the screen first. Smart layering from Sark and staff.

Slot Screen: Speed, Space, and a Shorter Throw

This slot “now screen” mirrors the earlier outside version, but hits even quicker. In modern coverage structures, it’s common to see press on the perimeter and softer leverage on the slot, which creates a natural cushion. Even though that wasn’t the case on this particular rep, the concept still holds value. It’s a shorter throw, hits faster, and gives your slot receiver a chance to work in space before pursuit can close. It’s a smart answer for second-and-medium situation.

Just like with their bubble and swing variations, Texas built a shot play off their slot screen look. They mirrored the screen they’d already put on tape, but this time the Y (tight end) stalks then turns up field. The design worked, the defense bit and the receiver broke free. The only thing missing was the throw. It didn’t hit, but that’s football. The concept was sound, the timing was right, and in the film room, that’s a win for the call sheet, even if it doesn’t show up on the scoreboard.

Double Screen Trick: Sneaking the Y

To cap it off, Texas dips into the bag with a trick play off a double screen look, a true constraint-beater. The offense shows screen action to both sides, drawing the eyes and flow of the defense. Meanwhile, the tight end (Y) delays, then slips up the seam uncovered. That’s the intent, anyway. Against Georgia, the discipline held, they didn’t overreact to the eye candy and closed the window. But this same play hit big earlier in the year against a more aggressive Boise State unit. It’s a high-reward shot disguised within a familiar screen shell, another example of how Sark builds misdirection off his core.

Conclusion

Texas’ 2024 screen game was more than a set of quick throws, it was a fully integrated system. From classic tailback screens to shot plays off slot action, Sarkisian and staff layered constraint, motion, and misdirection into every look. Whether hitting quick on the perimeter or baiting the defense into a blown coverage, the Longhorns used screens not just to protect the quarterback or slow down the rush, but to hunt explosive plays. For coaches looking to evolve their own screen packages, Texas provides a blueprint in building with intent, dressing up simple concepts, and calling them with precision.