The Texas Longhorns are already perceived as the top team in the nation as they approach the 2025 season.
Despite witnessing the Ohio State Buckeyes secure their first national championship in more than ten years with a 34-23 victory against Notre Dame. They are not the team that CBS Sports senior writer, Dennis Dodd, has placed as the top-ranked team in his “way-too-early” top-25.
Instead, the Texas Longhorns are positioned as the leading team in the country as they approach the 2025 season. This is true even though Texas came only one game away from competing for a national championship for the second consecutive season. In a contest where they missed by a yard from possibly pushing the future national champion Buckeyes into overtime.
The Arch Manning era starts with all the anticipated excitement. Appreciate the memories, Quinn Ewers, but the ‘Horns will pose a greater threat at quarterback due to Manning’s superior athletic ability and intelligence,” states CBS Sports.
A sample of what an offense led by Manning will resemble for Texas has already been shown. The emerging redshirt sophomore began his first two career games last season, as Ewers was out with an oblique injury during the victories against Louisiana Monroe and Mississippi State.NFL?
In those two games, Manning passed for 583 yards and four touchdowns, recording two interceptions, and completing 68.3 percent of his passes. The two starts marked a redshirt freshman season during which he accumulated 939 yards and nine touchdowns, with only two interceptions in 10 games.
However, Manning isn’t the sole source of enthusiasm, as the Longhorns also bring back vital components of their defense, which ranked among the best in the nation.
“Steve Sarkisian welcomes national freshman of the year Colin Simmons at defensive end along with standout linebacker Anthony Hill,” Dodd added.
Alongside the freshman All-American edge rusher, former UTSA transfer Trey Moore chose to come back for a senior year in Austin. This provides Texas with two star edge rushers to guide a front seven that will introduce three new starters on the defensive line. Moore and Collins recorded a total of 83 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks during the previous season.
Another first-team All-American, starting inside linebacker Anthony Hill, will be behind them. He just completed a standout season with 113 tackles, 17 for loss, eight sacks, one interception, and four forced fumbles.
Although Texas possesses essential players in several critical positions, uncertainties remain. One of the largest to date will occur along the line of scrimmage. Texas will need to replace not just three starters on the defensive line but also four on the offensive line.
Revamping the lines of scrimmage will be equally crucial as having star athletes in skill positions if the Longhorns aim to secure a national championship next season.
