Texas Longhorns Earn Historic Preseason No. 1 Ranking in US LBM Coaches Poll, Signaling Arrival as National Title Favorite
For the first time in the program’s long and storied history, the Texas Longhorns have been ranked No. 1 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll. The announcement has sent waves of excitement and expectation across the college football landscape, officially cementing Texas as the team to beat in 2025. What was once hopeful anticipation in Austin has transformed into tangible, validated belief. After years of falling short of national expectations, the Longhorns enter the new season not just with hype—but with confirmation from their peers that they are the premier team in college football entering the fall.
The ranking is not simply ceremonial. It reflects a seismic shift in how the Texas program is perceived, built, and executed under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Since his arrival in 2021, Sarkisian has worked methodically to restore Texas to national prominence, assembling elite recruiting classes, building a deep and balanced roster, and fostering a competitive culture rooted in discipline and player development. The journey has taken time and featured its share of setbacks, but the result is clear: Texas has climbed back to the top.
This moment carries historical weight. Texas is no stranger to being ranked highly in preseason polls—having regularly cracked the top ten during the Mack Brown era and sporadically under Tom Herman—but never before had the Longhorns secured the No. 1 spot in the Coaches Poll, which is voted on by active FBS coaches. That distinction makes the honor particularly meaningful. These are the people who study film, recruit against Texas, and face the rigors of college football firsthand. Their collective belief in the Longhorns is as powerful a statement as any poll can make.
The 2025 Longhorns deserve that belief. The foundation for their top billing lies in the combination of elite returning talent, a favorable structure, and recent performance. Texas is coming off a 13–2 season that included a Big 12 championship and its first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff. While the season ended with a close semifinal loss to Michigan, it marked a turning point for the program: the Longhorns were not only back on the big stage, but they belonged there. That run validated Sarkisian’s system, his staff, and the long-term vision he had laid out four years ago.
Now, Texas returns to the field with arguably the most talented roster in the country. At the heart of the excitement is redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning. The former No. 1 overall recruit steps into the spotlight after spending two years developing behind Quinn Ewers. Manning’s arm strength, field awareness, and poise in the pocket have coaches and analysts alike projecting a Heisman-worthy campaign. He’ll be the focal point of an offense that blends experience and explosiveness.
Manning won’t be lacking weapons. Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond headlines a deep receiving corps that also includes veterans like Jordan Whittington and breakout candidates like DeAndre Moore Jr. and freshman Ryan Wingo. Though wideout Johntay Cook II suffered a preseason injury that could sideline him for several weeks, the depth at the position is arguably the best Texas has had since the Colt McCoy era. Tight end Gunnar Helm offers another reliable target, and the backfield is loaded with Jaydon Blue and Cedric Baxter Jr., both of whom bring speed, power, and versatility.
The offensive line, anchored by All-American left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., is big, experienced, and battle-tested. Continuity up front has become a staple of Sarkisian’s teams, and in 2025, it may be their greatest strength. That group will be responsible for keeping Manning upright and creating lanes for the run game, especially in the early weeks as new offensive pieces adjust to expanded roles.
Defensively, Texas is equally formidable. Last season, the defense emerged as a surprise strength, especially in the second half of the year. With another offseason of growth and additions, it’s expected to take another leap. The front seven is loaded, beginning with edge rusher Ethan Burke and defensive tackle Bear Alexander, a transfer from USC. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., who impressed as a freshman, is back to lead the unit with sideline-to-sideline range and instinct.
The secondary, long a question mark in Austin, now boasts both talent and depth. Cornerbacks Terrance Brooks and Malik Muhammad are physical, fast, and aggressive, while safeties Derek Williams and Jalen Catalon offer leadership and coverage ability. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski has refined his scheme to better fit his personnel, and the results have been noticeable: faster reads, tighter coverage, and more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Perhaps most importantly, Texas is no longer simply talented—they’re cohesive. The culture within the program has matured. There’s a sense of identity, stability, and belief that hasn’t existed in years past. Veteran players speak openly about accountability. Sarkisian has built a leadership council within the locker room, and the program has successfully embraced the demands of being a national contender. It’s not just about making headlines; it’s about preparing for championship moments.
Still, the No. 1 ranking carries pressure. Texas will now play every game with a target on its back. Every opponent, especially in the Southeastern Conference, will treat the Longhorns like a trophy game. That gauntlet begins immediately in Week 1, when Texas hosts No. 2-ranked Ohio State in what may be the most anticipated opening weekend matchup in recent memory. The Buckeyes, like Texas, are loaded with talent and have national title ambitions of their own. That game will serve as both a measuring stick and tone-setter for the rest of the season.
Following Ohio State, Texas faces a grueling SEC schedule that includes Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and the always-emotional Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma. No team ranked No. 1 in the preseason Coaches Poll has gone undefeated since 2019, and Texas knows the challenge they face. But they also believe this team is uniquely equipped to handle it. The roster isn’t just full of stars—it’s full of players who have played in hostile environments, come back from adversity, and learned how to win.
Even off the field, Texas is thriving. The program is dominating in recruiting, currently holding one of the top 2026 classes in the country. The brand is booming, and the move to the SEC has already yielded dividends in NIL opportunities and exposure. The momentum is not only real—it feels sustainable.
That is perhaps the most significant difference between this Texas team and those of years past. In the early 2010s and even into the Herman era, Texas would occasionally start hot or generate buzz, only to flame out when adversity hit. This team, by contrast, has been built to last. From player development to depth management, from strength training to mental preparation, every aspect of the program has been modernized to match the demands of championship football.
That modernization, led by Sarkisian and athletic director Chris Del Conte, has changed everything. Texas is no longer chasing a shadow of its past. It’s living its present. And for the first time in program history, the rest of college football is looking up at the Longhorns from the preseason jump.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed in college football. Preseason No. 1s have a mixed track record. For every team that lives up to the billing, there are others who falter under the weight of expectation. Injuries, upsets, and attrition are part of the game. The Longhorns understand that the ranking is a recognition of what they’ve done and what they’re capable of—not a guarantee of what will come.
But this is a new Texas. A Texas that doesn’t flinch under the spotlight. A Texas that expects to be here.
The path to a national title will be brutal, but for the first time in nearly two decades, the destination feels within reach. The Longhorns have the coach. They have the quarterback. They have the roster. Now, they have the respect of the entire sport.
Being ranked No. 1 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll is a historic achievement. But for Sarkisian and the Longhorns, it’s not the goal—it’s just the first step.
