Former Texas Receiver Is Already Adding Fuel To Red River Tension

As tensions rise ahead of the Red River Rivalry, Parker Livingstone shares his thoughts on the move from Texas to Oklahoma, amid swirling backlash and commentary from Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian.

Parker Livingstone isn’t biting back just yet.

After Steve Sarkisian took a shot at the former Texas wideout during SEC Media Days, Livingstone had his first chance to respond while talking with reporters at Oklahoma fall camp. For now, he’s keeping the focus squarely on his new team and the weeks ahead.

"I'm just kind of focused on this team and fall camp," Livingstone told reporters. "We've got like four games until we play them.

So, kind of taking it one day at a time. That game is going to come when it comes.

It's going to be a fun game. But right now, I'm focused on fall camp and UTEP."

Sarkisian’s comments came after Livingstone transferred from Texas to Oklahoma, a move that instantly made him a target for Longhorns fans. During his remarks, Sarkisian leaned into the rivalry and didn’t hide his feelings about seeing Livingstone on the other side.

“I mean I hope we kick his ass," Sarkisian said of Livingstone. "It’s the Red River Rivalry.

He chose to go there. He’s on the other side.

That’s the way the game goes.”

Livingstone’s transfer was part of a wider Texas receiver shuffle this offseason. The Longhorns added elite transfer Cam Coleman, veteran Sterling Berkhalter and freshman Jermaine Bishop Jr., while Livingstone and DeAndre Moore Jr. both moved on after multiple seasons in Austin. Moore’s departure to Colorado drew a more positive reaction, but Livingstone’s decision to head to Norman set off a much sharper response.

That move only adds more edge to a rivalry that was already heading toward a tense stretch. Texas’ secondary returns several familiar faces, and plenty of them know Livingstone well after sharing two seasons and plenty of practice reps with him. Jelani McDonald, Warren Roberson, Derrek Williams Jr., Kobe Black, Wardell Mack and Jordan Johnson-Rubell all spent that time going against him every day.

When Oklahoma and Texas meet in Dallas on Oct. 10, the contact figures to be personal. Livingstone may be talking cautiously now, but the rematch is already circling as one of the more charged moments on the calendar. The 2026 edition of the Red River Rivalry can't come soon enough.

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