2025 Texas Longhorns Football Preview Focuses on Defensive Line Overhaul and Colin Simmons’ Pursuit of Single-Season Sack Record
As the 2025 college football season nears, all eyes are on the Texas Longhorns and their evolving identity, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. With the program preparing for life in the SEC full-time, the pressure is mounting for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff to deliver a championship-caliber campaign. The offense is in good hands with the depth of talent at quarterback and skill positions, but the biggest question mark – and perhaps the biggest opportunity – lies within the heart of the defense: the interior defensive line. New faces are expected to step up in pivotal roles, and all the while, edge rusher Colin Simmons has his sights set on breaking the single-season sack record. This combination of youthful promise and star potential makes Texas’ defensive line one of the most compelling storylines entering the 2025 season.
The departure of multiple key players from the 2024 squad left notable gaps in the defensive trenches. Veterans like T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II, who were essential to Texas’ interior dominance in years past, have since moved on to the NFL, taking with them a wealth of experience, size, and disruption. Their exits leave the Longhorns in a delicate transition period, where development, recruitment, and scheme will be tested at every level.
Fortunately for Texas, Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski have been preparing for this shift. The 2025 defensive line features a mix of returning depth, blue-chip freshmen, and transfer portal reinforcements, each with a chance to contribute immediately. The coaching staff has shown a clear intent to reload, not rebuild.
Among the players expected to fill the void are sophomore standout Alfred Collins, who returns with increased expectations after flashing elite potential in rotational snaps last year. Collins’ length and athleticism provide a disruptive presence at the three-technique, but consistency and stamina will be key as he transitions into a starting role. Alongside him, Vernon Broughton and redshirt freshman Terrance Green are battling for snaps and have earned praise for their offseason progress in strength and technique. Broughton, in particular, has reshaped his body and looks poised to be a key factor in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
One of the more intriguing additions is freshman defensive tackle Zayquan Mitchell, a top-50 national recruit who enrolled early and impressed during spring camp. Though still raw in some areas, Mitchell brings a unique combination of size, leverage, and twitch that could force him into early playing time. Texas fans may also want to keep an eye on USC transfer Solomon Byrd, who comes in with high expectations after a productive season in the Pac-12. Byrd’s ability to slide inside on passing downs could be a valuable weapon in Kwiatkowski’s hybrid fronts.
As this new interior core attempts to find its identity, the star of the defensive line – and perhaps of the entire defense – remains Colin Simmons. The former five-star edge rusher from Duncanville, Texas, made a major leap in 2024, recording 11 sacks and wreaking havoc off the edge. But according to sources close to the program, Simmons isn’t satisfied. His goal for 2025 is clear: break the Texas single-season sack record.
The current record of 17.5 sacks, set by Cedric Reed in 2013, stands as a lofty target, but Simmons has both the tools and the opportunity to reach it. With an improved understanding of the scheme, another year of college-level strength training, and a full slate of SEC competition ahead, Simmons has the perfect stage to prove himself as one of the most feared pass rushers in the nation.
The coaching staff has made it no secret they plan to unleash Simmons even more aggressively this season. Expect a variety of alignments, including stand-up rush positions and wide-nine techniques designed to give him favorable angles against slower tackles. His first step is elite, his motor never quits, and his hand usage has developed to the point where double-teams are no longer enough. If the interior linemen can collapse the pocket and prevent quarterbacks from stepping up, Simmons could feast all season long.
But Simmons’ impact goes beyond just the stat sheet. His presence demands attention, allowing his teammates to find one-on-one matchups. Opposing offenses have to account for him on every snap, which opens up opportunities for linebackers like Anthony Hill Jr. and Terrance Brooks to attack downhill or drop into disguised coverages. Simmons’ leadership, too, has blossomed as he enters his junior campaign. Coaches report that he’s taken on a vocal role in the locker room, setting the tone in practices and pushing younger players to raise their level.
Beyond Simmons, the defensive end room remains deep. Ethan Burke returns as a reliable edge setter with some pass rush juice, while J’Mond Tapp is expected to rotate heavily after flashing potential late last season. The addition of true freshman Myles Davis, a consensus top-100 recruit, provides another option with a high ceiling. If Davis adjusts quickly to the college game, Texas could have a legitimate two-deep rotation at both end spots for the first time in years.
The success of the 2025 defense, though, won’t rest on Simmons’ shoulders alone. For this unit to reach its full potential, the interior line must generate consistent pressure, plug running lanes, and hold the point of attack. The SEC is known for its physicality in the trenches, and Texas will face elite offensive lines nearly every week. If the Longhorns can control the line of scrimmage, it will not only elevate their defense but also help protect their offense by winning the time of possession battle.
Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski has tailored the scheme to accentuate Texas’ strengths. Look for more simulated pressures, stunts, and exotic fronts designed to confuse protection schemes and create free runners. With a combination of seasoned coaches and top-tier athleticism, the Longhorns have the blueprint to become a top-15 defense nationally – but execution will be everything.
In terms of schedule, Texas will be tested early and often. A marquee Week 2 showdown with Michigan in Ann Arbor will serve as a litmus test for the trenches. The Wolverines, fresh off another playoff run, boast one of the most physically dominant offensive lines in college football. If Texas’ defensive front can hold their own, it will send a clear message to the rest of the SEC that the Longhorns are ready for primetime.
Later in the season, matchups with Alabama, Georgia, and LSU loom large. Each of those teams brings a strong offensive line and downhill run game, which will challenge the depth and resilience of the interior defensive line. Rotational stamina, health, and in-game adjustments will play pivotal roles in those contests.
By the time November arrives, Texas should know exactly what they have in their defensive line group. The hope, of course, is that the new interior starters have found their rhythm, Simmons is chasing history, and the defense as a whole is peaking at the right time. If that vision comes to life, the Longhorns could be more than just contenders – they could be legitimate College Football Playoff threats.
The stakes are high in Austin. The move to the SEC, the national attention surrounding Arch Manning and the offense, and the weight of expectation all point to a pivotal season for the program. But none of it will matter if Texas can’t win in the trenches. That’s why the emergence of new faces on the interior defensive line and Colin Simmons’ quest for greatness are more than just subplots – they are the keys to unlocking the Longhorns’ championship dreams.
Texas may be reloading, but they’re not retreating. With a new-look defensive line and a pass rush superstar in Simmons, the Longhorns are gearing up for war in the SEC. And if everything clicks, the record books – and the national spotlight – may have to make room for the newest star out of Austin.
