In 2024, the Texas Longhorns made waves during their first season as a member of the Southeastern Conference. They followed up where they left off in the Big 12 by clinching their second straight college football berth. However, their run was cut short in the semifinal round of the playoffs by eventual national champion, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
It was a season defined by poise, balance, and star power. Quarterback Quinn Ewers elevated his game in his final season as a Texas Longhorn, throwing for over 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
His leadership and steady play allowed Texas to have a successful first year as a member of the SEC. Quintrevion Wisner emerged as one of the SEC’s best backs, and the Longhorns’ physical defense wore down opponents in the trenches. But even with a strong resume, Texas showed cracks late in the season.
A close loss to Georgia exposed some defensive lapses, and against Ohio State, their offense struggled to keep pace without the explosive plays they had relied on earlier in the year. Still, back-to-back CFP appearances confirmed that Sarkisian has Texas firmly back in the national spotlight—and now, expectations only grow higher heading into 2025.
Previewing the Texas Offense
In 2024, Texas’s offense was a powerhouse, ranking seventh nationally with 7,000 total yards (437.5 per game) and scoring 129 points in the first quarter alone, outpacing opponents 129-34. The loss of Ewers, top receivers Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden, and Silas Bolden, tight end Gunnar Helm, and four offensive line starters (including All-American Kelvin Banks Jr.) leaves significant production to replace (71% of offensive output gone, 126th in FBS returning production). However, Sarkisian and offensive coordinator Kyle Flood have rebuilt through development and targeted transfers, setting lofty expectations for 2025.
Redshirt sophomore Arch Manning, a former five-star recruit, steps in as QB1 after a 2-0 record in 2024 starts (61-of-90, 939 yards, nine TDs, two INTs, 108 rushing yards and four TDs). His dual-threat ability (4.6 40-yard dash) and arm talent, like his grandfather Archie’s athleticism, fit Sarkisian’s pro-style system, emphasizing deep passes and red-zone efficiency.
Expect Manning to throw for 3,500+ yards and 25+ TDs, leveraging his spring practice chemistry with a revamped supporting cast.
The running back room is a strength, led by junior Quintrevion Wisner (1,064 yards, 4.7 YPC, five TDs, plus 44 catches for 311 yards in 2024) and redshirt sophomore CJ Baxter, returning from a 2024 knee injury (661 yards, 5.0 YPC in 2023). Sophomore Jerrick Gibson (4.8 YPC) and freshman Christian Clark add depth, with the unit projected to surpass 2,000 rushing yards.
The offensive line, a 2024 Joe Moore Award finalist, returns only right guard DJ Campbell but adds five-star freshman Justus Terry and sophomore Trevor Goosby, who started twice in 2024. Transfers like Emmett Mosley V, Jack Endries, bolster the pass-catching corps alongside returners Ryan Wingo (409 yards, four TDs) and DeAndre Moore Jr. (491 yards, five TDs). Freshmen Kaliq Lockett and Jaime Ffrench, top-10 receivers in the 2025 class, add explosive potential.
Offseason improvements focused on developing young talent (Goosby, Baker) and adding proven transfers (Mosley, Endries), addressing the loss of 37 sacks allowed (118th in FBS). Expectations are for a top-20 offense, averaging 35 points per game, with Manning’s mobility and a deep backfield improving red-zone efficiency (63.77% TD rate in 2024, up from 50.82% in 2023).
Previewing the Texas Defense
Texas’ 2024 defense was a juggernaut, ranking first in SP+ defensive efficiency (9.0 points above average) and second nationally in scoring defense (17.9 points per game). The unit led the SEC with 42 sacks and allowed just 4,535 total yards, dominating opponents like Oklahoma (3 points allowed). Losing defensive tackles Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton, Bill Norton, and Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron creates gaps. However, 61% returning production (44th in FBS) and a stellar transfer class keep expectations sky-high.
Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s 4-2-5 scheme thrives on speed and pressure, and 2025 additions ensure continuity. Despite losing key contributors, the defensive line adds Purdue’s Cole Brevard (4.5 TFLs in 2024), North Carolina’s Travis Shaw (3.5 TFLs), and Ohio State’s Hero Kanu (2.5 TFLs), alongside five-star freshman Justus Terry. Sophomore edge rusher Colin Simmons, a freshman All-American with 9.0 sacks, is poised for a double-digit sack season.
At linebacker, junior Anthony Hill Jr., a 2024 All-SEC candidate (16.5 TFLs, 8.0 sacks, 113 tackles), anchors the unit with senior Trey Moore (17.5 career sacks) and sophomore Liona Lefau (61 tackles).
The secondary, led by senior safety Michael Taaffe (78 tackles, 10 pass breakups, All-American in 2024) and junior corner Malik Muhammad (four pass breakups), welcomes five-star freshmen Jonah Williams and Kade Phillips. Offseason moves focused on bolstering the defensive line via the portal and developing young stars like Simmons and Lefau. Expectations are for a top-10 defense, aiming for 40+ sacks and holding opponents under 18 points per game, with Hill and Simmons leading an elite front seven.
Projected Outlook: Playoff Expectations Remain High
The bar is now set in Austin: College Football Playoff or bust. And in 2025, Texas looks poised to make three CFP appearances in a row under Sarkisian. But the road to the postseason is far from easy.
The season opens with a marquee showdown against Ohio State in Columbus, a rematch of last year’s semifinal loss. The Buckeyes are loaded and motivated, and it will be a trial by fire for Arch Manning in his first career start. Survive that one, and confidence will soar.
Later in the season, Texas hits the road again to face Georgia and Florida in hostile SEC environments. The Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma always matters. Still, the stakes are higher now with former Washington State quarterback John Mateer joining the Sooners and injecting new energy into Brent Venables’ squad.
Still, Texas boasts one of the most complete rosters in college football. Their offensive line is built for the SEC’s weekly rigors, a potential gamechanger at QB, and a defense that can win in November. More importantly, they’ve been here before. This is no longer a program hoping to make a splash—they’re built for the long haul.
Verdict: Texas will reach the College Football Playoff again in 2025, but how far they go depends on how quickly Arch Manning settles in and whether this defense can generate more havoc plays in critical moments. Don’t be surprised if the Longhorns enter December as one of the top four teams in the country again.
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