Parker Livingstone didn’t need to say much to let Steve Sarkisian know he heard him.
The Oklahoma wide receiver answered Texas’ head coach on social media after Sarkisian’s viral SEC Media Days comments put Livingstone directly in the spotlight. Livingstone posted a photoshopped image of himself in an OU uniform on X with the message, “Doubt me now.”
That came after Sarkisian mentioned Livingstone by name while explaining the Longhorns’ offseason roster moves and transfer-portal additions. He said Texas had to move on from several players to make room for new pieces, including Livingstone, and then added that he wanted to “kick his ass” when Oklahoma and Texas meet in the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 10.
Livingstone’s post quickly lit up both fan bases. Sooners fans leaned into the moment, while Longhorn supporters rushed to defend Sarkisian and Texas’ approach.
DeAndre Moore Jr., another player Sarkisian named, also reacted and shared Livingstone’s post. Moore transferred to Colorado after three seasons at Texas.
The backdrop to all of this is a Texas decision that, at least from Oklahoma’s point of view, handed the Sooners a useful weapon. Livingstone transferred across the Red River this offseason after originally being recruited by OU out of high school. He still has three years of eligibility left, which gives Oklahoma a receiver it can use now and potentially for a while.
Livingstone’s production last season makes the move even more interesting. As a redshirt freshman, he caught 29 passes for 516 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 17.8 yards per reception.
That average ranked in the top 25 in college football in 2025. For Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, that kind of downfield threat matters.
Mateer averaged 7.3 yards an attempt last season, which ranked 11th in the SEC.
The social-media reaction didn’t stop with the players. Fans and accounts on both sides jumped in, replaying the moment and turning it into more fuel for the rivalry. One post pointed to Livingstone’s catch opportunity in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, while another noted that the two players involved in the exchange had the highest drop percentage on the team in the final four games of the season.
Still, the bigger point is hard to miss: Sarkisian’s comments gave Oklahoma exactly the kind of bulletin-board material it could use. Livingstone already had reason to circle Oct.
- Now he has even more.
And with Sarkisian saying, “I hope we kick his ass,” the Red River Rivalry just got a fresh jolt of edge.
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