The season has not even started, yet Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian already faces an unexpected locker room storm.
The father of freshman cornerback Hayward Howard Jr. set social media ablaze with a furious attack on Sarkisian and the Texas football program. Soon after, college football fans jumped into the conversation.
Fans React as Hayward Howard Jr.’s Father Threatens to Expose Steve Sarkisian
Howard Sr. did not hold back in a fiery post on X, where he claimed internal politics had created problems within the program.
“A LOT OF [expletive] GOING ON AT TEXAS AS A PARENT, I’M VERY DISAPPOINTED,” he wrote. “I DID NOT PLAY THE POLITIC GAMES. MY SON PLAY FOOTBALL. IN HE DOES IT VERY WELL !!! ITS A LOT OF [expletive] GOING ON YALL DONT KNOW IN IM ABOUT TO EXPOSE THIS [expletive].”
His warning immediately raised questions about what he believes Texas fans do not know. And naturally, the post gave the CFB fans plenty to discuss.
One fan summed up the situation bluntly, writing, “It’s not even September and that locker room is already falling apart 😭😭😭😭😭😭.”
One Alabama supporter took a more sarcastic approach while questioning the culture surrounding the program. The supporter wrote, “Let’s hear it. I for one am shocked that a school that doles out Lambos as its recruiting pitch and money over everything for 18 year olds has a culture issue. Shocked I tell ya.”
Howard Sr. posted his message shortly after the Longhorns completed their second major closed scrimmage of fall camp.
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Howard Jr. did not see the field during the scrimmage, according to fans who responded to the elder Howard’s post. The New Orleans product enrolled at Texas as a four-star freshman cornerback and is expected to work his way up the depth chart as a true freshman.
For Howard Sr., though, the issue appears much deeper than one scrimmage. He believes his son plays football “very well” and should not have to navigate what he calls political games.
However, the reaction quickly grew louder as more fans weighed in on Howard Sr.’s threat.
One supporter urged him to make everything public, writing, “Go ahead and put it out in the open so other recruits don’t make the same mistake. Especially ones from Louisiana.”
Another user showed sympathy for the situation, adding, “Sorry to hear. These kids work too hard to be treated poorly.”
Meanwhile, one fan simply backed the father’s stance with, “Tell em!!!”
Howard Jr. arrived in Texas with plenty of expectations already attached to his name. The four-star prospect from Edna Karr High School in New Orleans chose the Longhorns over several major programs, including LSU and Miami.
It makes the current situation even more interesting for fans watching the fallout.
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Meanwhile, some supporters have already started suggesting alternatives for the young cornerback.
“Bring him to a stable program like OU. Sark gone next year anyway. Money isn’t everything,” a fan wrote.
Another user pointed to what they believe is a wider issue within the program, saying, “Dang! that’s MULTIPLE parents who are frustrated with the way the program is being handled down there.”
For now, Howard Jr. remains a true freshman competing for opportunities on a deep and talented Texas roster. Therefore, starting lower on the depth chart can happen as young players adjust to college football. His talent still gives the Longhorns a promising piece for the future.
But Howard Sr.’s public outburst could now create another layer of pressure around the program. Whether it affects Howard Jr.’s future remains to be seen.
