Despite NFL Departures, Texas Longhorns Re-Load with Firepower and Scheme to Remain Among Nation’s Most Dangerous Offensive Units in 2025
The Texas Longhorns are heading into the 2025 college football season with renewed energy, heightened expectations, and perhaps more importantly, a retooled offense that still projects as one of the most dangerous in the country. Despite losing several key contributors to the NFL Draft, head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff have done an exceptional job preparing for life after stars like Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jonathon Brooks, and Ja’Tavion Sanders. Rather than rebuild, the Longhorns appear ready to reload—with blue-chip talent, smart schematics, and experience at critical positions that make them a legitimate College Football Playoff contender.
Sarkisian, known for orchestrating prolific offenses at Alabama and now Texas, has built a machine in Austin that doesn’t rely on one or two players to carry the burden. Instead, he’s fostered a system of interchangeable parts—players who are versatile, explosive, and comfortable operating within a complex but highly efficient offensive structure. That design will once again be on display in 2025, as the Longhorns take the field with new starters, familiar faces, and a host of breakout candidates ready to write the next chapter of Texas football.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is the return of quarterback Quinn Ewers. After bypassing the 2024 NFL Draft to return for one more season, Ewers gives Texas the kind of stability and leadership few programs enjoy. He’s already shown flashes of brilliance, particularly during last year’s run to the College Football Playoff semifinals, and the extra year of development could elevate him from talented starter to Heisman contender. Ewers’ arm strength, decision-making, and improved pocket awareness will be crucial in guiding an offense full of rising stars.
Even though Ewers loses his top wide receivers to the draft, the cupboard is far from bare. Isaiah Bond, a transfer from Alabama, steps in as the likely WR1 and brings SEC speed and playmaking ability. Bond made clutch plays in Tuscaloosa and should thrive in Sarkisian’s offense, which is designed to create space and mismatches. Alongside Bond is Johntay Cook II, a former five-star prospect who has been waiting for his moment. Coaches have raved about Cook’s development, and with an expanded role, he’s expected to blossom into a dangerous downfield weapon. Add in DeAndre Moore, Ryan Wingo, and incoming freshmen like Parker Livingstone, and Texas suddenly boasts a deep, versatile receiving corps that can stretch the field vertically and exploit mismatches underneath.
The tight end room, too, remains in good hands. While Ja’Tavion Sanders was a unique talent who provided NFL-level production, his absence opens the door for Gunnar Helm and the highly touted freshman Lafayette Kaiuwai to emerge. Helm is a capable blocker with underrated receiving skills, and Kaiuwai brings the athleticism and physicality that make him an intriguing weapon in red zone packages and third-down scenarios. Sarkisian has always utilized tight ends creatively, and 2025 will be no exception.
In the backfield, the loss of Jonathon Brooks to the NFL might sting on paper, but the Longhorns are actually set up well at running back thanks to elite recruiting. CJ Baxter is poised to become the feature back after flashing brilliance in rotational work last season. A former five-star prospect, Baxter has the size, vision, and burst to be the next great Texas ball carrier. His ability to handle a full workload will be pivotal, but he won’t have to do it alone. Jaydon Blue returns as a dynamic change-of-pace option, and freshman Jerrick Gibson, one of the most highly rated running backs in the 2024 class, arrives with high expectations and game-breaking speed. This trio offers a balance of power, agility, and receiving prowess that should keep defenses guessing all season.
Of course, none of this offensive firepower matters without solid play in the trenches. That’s where Texas may be most dangerous. The offensive line returns multiple starters, including Kelvin Banks Jr., who might be the best offensive tackle in the country. Banks anchors a unit that is big, athletic, and experienced—everything you want protecting a high-level quarterback and opening lanes for elite backs. The interior line is bolstered by veterans like DJ Campbell and Hayden Conner, with a second wave of former top recruits pushing for playing time. Offensive line coach Kyle Flood has built one of the deepest groups in the country, and their continuity will be essential to Texas maintaining offensive efficiency against the SEC’s fierce defensive fronts.
Another underrated element in Texas’ offensive outlook is Sarkisian’s play-calling. His ability to adjust to personnel, confuse defenses with motion, and exploit mismatches is one of the primary reasons the Longhorns have been so productive, regardless of who’s on the field. Sarkisian’s offense thrives on rhythm and timing, and Ewers’ growing mastery of the system gives Texas an edge in high-stakes situations. The balance between run and pass, the creativity in formation usage, and the emphasis on tempo make it difficult for defenses to settle in. Even with new faces at skill positions, Sarkisian’s scheme ensures consistent production.
Texas also benefits from playing complementary football. The defense, which was among the best in the nation last year, returns multiple key players and should help give the offense favorable field position and more opportunities. A stout front seven led by Anthony Hill Jr. and a talented secondary gives the Longhorns a complete team capable of winning shootouts or grinding out physical SEC contests. The improved defense means the offense doesn’t have to carry the load every game, reducing pressure on young players and allowing for strategic, game-specific adjustments.
Beyond the talent and coaching, perhaps the most significant factor fueling Texas’ offensive potential is confidence. This is no longer a team hoping to compete with the nation’s best—it’s a team that expects to. The transition to the SEC, once seen as a daunting challenge, now looks like a stage tailor-made for the Longhorns’ style of play. Texas showed last season it could beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa and hang with the elite. That experience, combined with a new crop of hungry players, creates a mindset focused on championships rather than validation.
Recruiting has also played a critical role in keeping the offensive pipeline strong. Sarkisian and his staff have prioritized national-level talent and have landed blue-chip players across every position group. These recruits aren’t just talented—they’re versatile and fit perfectly within Texas’ offensive identity. The depth being built allows the coaching staff to rotate more freely, keep players fresh, and plug in replacements without sacrificing production. It also fosters competition, which elevates performance across the board.
Special teams, often overlooked in discussions of offensive success, could also be a secret weapon. Texas has reliable kickers, a strong punting game, and dynamic returners like Bond and Blue, who can flip field position or even score. Those hidden yards can be crucial in the SEC, where possessions are harder to come by and every point matters.
As the season approaches, the national media is starting to take notice. Texas is already projected to be in the top five of most preseason rankings, and they’ll be favored in several high-profile matchups early in the season. The spotlight will be brighter than ever, but this team seems prepared for it. With Ewers leading a group of emerging stars, Sarkisian calling the shots, and a veteran offensive line setting the tone, the Longhorns have all the pieces in place to field one of the nation’s best offenses—again.
What makes this version of Texas football different from previous ones is the substance behind the hype. The Longhorns are no longer relying on branding or nostalgia—they’re producing results. Last season’s playoff appearance was proof of concept, and now they’re hungry for more. This is a team that believes it can not only compete in the SEC, but win it. And with the offense they’re bringing into the 2025 season, there’s every reason to believe they can.
Even after sending a wave of talent to the NFL, Texas has reloaded with elite replacements and returns a core of battle-tested leaders. If this offense stays healthy and continues to evolve, it won’t just be one of the best in the SEC—it could be the best in the country. For Longhorn fans, the message is clear: the stars may have left, but the show is far from over in Austin.
