Parker Livingstone claps back to Steve Sarkisian's viral comments with new Red River Rivalry fire

Oklahoma wide receiver Parker Livingstone heard his old coach loud and clear as Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian's mouth continues to be the gift that keeps on giving to the Sooners.

Livingstone, who transferred across the Red River from Texas over the offseason, subtly responded on social media to Sarkisian's viral comments at SEC Media Days in which he name-dropped Livingstone as a player the Longhorns cut ties with to add a replacement receiver from the transfer portal and even proclaimed he wanted to "kick his ass" when OU and Texas meet for the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 10. Livingstone posted a picture of him in a photoshopped OU uniform on X with the caption, "Doubt me now."

Read more: Steve Sarkisian should take a lesson from Brent Venables and Arch Manning on how to respond to a transfer

This all stemmed from Sarkisian ignorantly laying everything out in the open during SEC Media Days regarding Texas' roster decisions over the offseason as the Longhorns spent big in the transfer portal instead of relying on players they could develop.

“To make the moves we make, to bring in a Cam Coleman, to bring in a Hollywood Smothers, to bring in a Raleek Brown, to bring in a Mike Masunas at tight end; we had to let DeAndre Moore go. We had to let Parker Livingstone go. We had to let Tre Wisner go. We had to let CJ Baxter go," Sarkisian said. ...

"I think we all can agree that we’re probably better around (quarterback) Arch (Manning) today than we were a year ago at this time.”

Read more: Steve Sarkisian gave Brent Venables what he needs to beat Texas in every recruiting battle

Wide Receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. was another player mentioned by name and reacted to the comment even before Livingstone did and also shared Livingstone's post. Moore, who spent three seasons at Texas, transferred to Colorado, so although he's clearly got a chip on his shoulder, he'll have to prove Sark wrong without doing it right in front of him.

Livingstone’s comments got Sooner Nation fired up and Longhorn Nation all worked up, desperate to defend their program.

Wait, is that from the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl? Texas' offensive line allowed pressure on quarterback Arch Manning, who then had to quickly force a throw and overthrew his target. Thanks to Livingstone's 6-foot-4 frame and speed, he at least got hands on the ball and had a chance. Had he actually pulled it in, though, it would have been on a highlight reel if anyone was actually watching that bowl game to notice.

Steve Sarkisian handed Oklahoma exactly what the Sooners needed with Parker Livingstone

As foolish, and maybe even infuriating, as Sark's SEC Media Days comments were, everything he said only benefited the Sooners. In fact, every decision Texas has made regarding Livingstone has favored Oklahoma, especially for the Red River Rivalry.

At the bare minimum, the Sooners added another needed weapon for not only John Mateer, but also their future quarterbacks, considering Livingstone still has three years of eligibility left and could be a Sooner for longer than he played at the other school. Livingstone was already a player OU recruited out of high school and ultimately ended up with, just now with more experience and able to make an immediate impact.

Last season as a redshirt freshman, Livingstone caught 29 passes for 516 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 17.8 yards a reception, which ranked in the top 25 of college football in 2025. Meanwhile, Mateer last season averaged 7.3 yards an attempt, which ranked 11th in the SEC. That was an obvious problem Livingstone will help solve.

That second Saturday of October, though, will really be when the Sooners have a secret weapon. It was already known the Longhorns forced Livingstone out of Austin, whether Texas fans deny it or not, so Oct. 10 in Dallas was immediately a date worth circling for Livingstone. Texas fans have also been harrassing Livingstone on social media ever since his move.

But then Sarkisian went as far to mention Livingstone by name and point out that he believes his team is better now without him. If Livingstone didn't already have a chip on his shoulder, his recent post confirmed he definitely does now after his old coach's comments. Then the cherry on top was when asked specifically about Livingstone, Sark answered, "I hope we kick his ass."

Sarkisian hand-delivered a magazine worth of bulletin-board material and motivation as if giving a fiery pre-game speech to Livingstone himself before the Red River Rivalry.

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