Texas: On the Doorstep of a Dynasty
I have the Texas Longhorns at No. 4 in my preseason Top 25, and they are knocking on the door of college football’s elite “Dynasty Tier.” After back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, head coach Steve Sarkisian has assembled a roster overflowing with blue-chip talent. With a new era beginning at quarterback and an elite defense returning, this is Texas’ best opportunity to capture its first national championship in two decades.
2024: A Yard Away from Greatness
Last season was a monumental success that established Texas as a national power. The Longhorns won 13 games, starting with a dominant road victory over defending champion Michigan and rolling through historic rivals Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas A&M to earn a spot in the SEC Championship.
The playoff run showcased their talent and resilience. After a thrilling overtime victory against Arizona State, Texas found itself in a semifinal showdown with eventual champion Ohio State. The Longhorns were just one yard away from tying the game before a heartbreaking fumble was returned for a 90-yard touchdown. While the loss was painful, it proved that Texas can go toe-to-toe with any program in the country and is just a few plays away from a national title.
Offense: The Arch Manning Era Begins
The offense is now in the hands of former No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning, who takes over for three-year starter Quinn Ewers. Manning already has a name for himself, dazzling in two starts last season while accumulating nine touchdowns and a quarterback rating that would have led the SEC. He brings not only the elite arm strength of his predecessor but also crucial pocket mobility and footspeed. Sarkisian will build more designed runs and zone-read options around him, a dynamic that should solve the red-zone touchdown struggles that plagued the team last year.
The backfield is loaded with talent, led by All-SEC rusher Tre Wisner, who ran for over 1,000 yards in 2024. While lead receiver Matthew Golden is gone, the Longhorns will reload with an arsenal of blue-chippers, including returning standout DeAndre Moore and five-star talents Ryan Wingo and Kaliq Lockett. The offensive line lost four starters from a Joe Moore Award finalist unit, but thanks to elite recruiting, the next wave of talent, led by tackle Trevor Goosby, is ready to step in and dominate.
Defense: Reloading a National Power
Pete Kwiatkowski’s 2024 defense was arguably the best in the nation, featuring a pass defense that ranked No. 2 in opponent-adjusted metrics and allowed only four passing touchdowns all season. While five starters were selected in the NFL Draft, the unit returns multiple All-America candidates for 2025.
It all starts in the middle with do-it-all linebacker Anthony Hill, a surefire first-round pick who racked up 113 tackles, 16.5 tackles-for-loss, and eight sacks last season. On the edge, freshman All-American Colin Simmons returns after a breakout debut. The defensive line reloads with a trio of four-star transfers, while the secondary remains a strength despite losing Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron. With returning starters like Michael Taaffe and a host of five-star talent, this group has the depth and skill to remain one of the best in the country.
The Schedule and the Path
Playing in the SEC means a gauntlet of a schedule, but Texas has proven it belongs. With their level of talent and experience from two deep playoff runs, the Longhorns are built to navigate the nation’s toughest conference and secure a high seed in the College Football Playoff.
Why I’m So Confident
Here’s why I’m picking Texas to win the SEC and compete for a national title:
- Four straight Top 5 recruiting classes.
- A dynamic, mobile quarterback in Arch Manning.
- An elite defense loaded with All-America talent at every level.
- One of the best play-callers in the country in Steve Sarkisian.
- The invaluable experience of back-to-back Playoff appearances.
This is Sarkisian’s moment. The roster is stacked, the quarterback is a generational talent, and the defense is championship-caliber. At No. 4 in my preseason rankings, Texas is my pick to win the SEC and has a fantastic shot to end its 20-year national title drought.
