Texas Longhorns Ranked No. 1 in Preseason Coaches Poll for First Time Ever as National Championship Hopes Reach New Heights
For the first time in the storied history of Texas football, the Longhorns are ranked No. 1 in the preseason Coaches Poll, a long-awaited moment that signals the official return of one of college football’s most iconic programs to the national spotlight. After years of rebuilding, doubt, and gradual progress under head coach Steve Sarkisian, Texas has arrived. And the rest of the country is taking notice.
The No. 1 ranking is more than just a number—it’s a symbol. A recognition of not only the talent on the roster but also the steady transformation the program has undergone since Sarkisian took over. From his first day in Austin, Sarkisian talked about building a culture, installing toughness, and returning Texas to where it belongs. Now, entering the 2025 season, that vision has crystallized into reality. The Longhorns are not just relevant again—they’re leading the charge.
The 2025 preseason Coaches Poll has Texas perched above all others, a distinction that carries weight and expectations unlike any other in college football. It’s the first time the program has ever held the top spot entering a season—a remarkable fact considering the Longhorns’ rich tradition, national championships, and Heisman winners. But it also serves as a reminder of just how difficult sustained greatness is, and how long the road back has been since the glory years of the early 2000s.
That road has included coaching changes, recruiting battles, frustrating seasons, and plenty of questions about whether Texas would ever “be back.” But in 2023 and 2024, the tide began to shift. Sarkisian’s recruiting classes were loaded with blue-chip talent. The team became faster, deeper, and more physical in the trenches. The quarterback room was reshaped by the arrival of Arch Manning. And most importantly, the results started to match the expectations.
Last season’s breakthrough appearance in the College Football Playoff solidified Texas as a program on the rise. Though they came up just short of a national championship, their performance against elite competition proved they belonged. The defense was aggressive and well-coached. The offense was balanced and explosive. The culture, often the missing ingredient in previous years, was finally where it needed to be.
Now, with the Longhorns returning much of their core talent, including junior quarterback Arch Manning, a dominant offensive line, and a stacked defensive unit, the expectations have reached their highest point yet. Manning, in particular, is drawing national attention as he steps into the spotlight as the full-time starter. His development and poise have impressed coaches, teammates, and analysts alike, and many believe he’s ready to lead Texas all the way.
The supporting cast around Manning is equally impressive. The receiver room features a combination of size, speed, and route-running polish. The running back group is deep and versatile, capable of wearing down defenses or striking quickly. Up front, the offensive line is loaded with experience and NFL prospects. On defense, Texas boasts one of the nation’s top linebacker duos, a disruptive defensive line, and a secondary filled with playmakers. There are no glaring weaknesses on this roster—only strengths and high expectations.
That depth and balance are part of why coaches across the country voted Texas into the No. 1 spot. The Longhorns have not only assembled a championship-level roster—they’ve built a program capable of sustaining success. And in today’s college football landscape, that’s harder than ever to do. Between NIL, the transfer portal, and constant media scrutiny, only the most stable and well-run programs are able to thrive consistently. Texas now finds itself among that elite group.
But with the top ranking comes a new kind of pressure. Being No. 1 in August doesn’t win you anything in January. Every opponent will circle the Texas game on their calendar. Every player will be asked about the ranking in every interview. Every mistake will be magnified. Sarkisian knows this, and his challenge will be keeping his team focused on the process rather than the praise.
In many ways, this moment is a validation of Sarkisian’s long-term vision. When he arrived in Austin, Texas was a program in flux. The talent was uneven. The culture was inconsistent. The results were mediocre. But rather than take shortcuts, Sarkisian committed to building it the right way. He assembled a strong staff, invested in development, and created an environment where players bought in. That foundation has led Texas to the top of the rankings—and has given fans hope that this time, it’s different.
Texas’s arrival at No. 1 also coincides with its official move into the Southeastern Conference, which only amplifies the spotlight. The Longhorns now find themselves in the most competitive conference in college football, with road trips to places like Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, and Gainesville looming. The SEC offers no breaks, and that means Texas will have to prove its worth every week. But that’s exactly the kind of challenge Sarkisian wanted. If Texas is going to be the best, it has to beat the best.
The players, for their part, are embracing the pressure. From offseason workouts to spring ball to the opening days of fall camp, the message has been clear: rankings mean nothing without results. Veteran leaders on the team have been vocal about maintaining the edge that fueled last year’s run. Arch Manning, despite the hype surrounding his name, has remained focused on improving every day. The sense of entitlement that once plagued Texas in past eras is nowhere to be found. This team is hungry.
That hunger will be tested early. Texas opens the season with a non-conference schedule that includes a neutral-site game against Notre Dame and a dangerous Group of Five contender. Then comes the SEC gauntlet—games against Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M all await. If the Longhorns are still No. 1 by mid-October, they will have earned it. And if they’re not, the experience gained through those battles could still pay off come playoff time.
One thing is certain: this Texas team is equipped to handle the grind. The depth chart is filled with players who’ve been in big games, who understand the preparation required, and who are driven by something bigger than personal accolades. There’s a maturity to this roster that wasn’t present in past years, and it starts at the top. Sarkisian has created a culture where stars are made, but egos are checked.
For Texas fans, this moment is both exhilarating and surreal. Being ranked No. 1 in the preseason Coaches Poll is a first in program history, and it carries a sense of redemption for a fan base that has endured more than a decade of near-misses and unmet expectations. There’s pride, of course, but also a deep understanding of what comes next. The real work starts now.
Across the country, rival programs will be looking to knock Texas off its pedestal. That’s the burden of being the top dog. But for Texas, that’s also the opportunity—to prove that the ranking is more than preseason hype. To show that they’re ready to not only compete with the best but to beat them. To reclaim their place at the very top of college football.
The preseason Coaches Poll is just one piece of the puzzle. Championships aren’t handed out in August. But for Texas, being ranked No. 1 represents something more than a headline. It’s a signal that the rebuild is over. That the vision is coming to life. And that the Longhorns are finally, truly, back.
Now they just have to go prove it. Every week. Every snap. Every Saturday. Because being ranked No. 1 is history. Staying there—that’s the legacy.
