**“Kirby Smart Praises Texas and Steve Sarkisian at 2025 SEC Media Days — Georgia Coach Warns of Longhorns’ Rising Power with Arch Manning at Helm”**
The 2025 SEC Media Days in Atlanta offered plenty of fireworks, but perhaps no moment commanded more attention than Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart stepping to the podium and delivering a direct, thoughtful, and deeply respectful assessment of the Texas Longhorns program and their head coach, Steve Sarkisian. The backdrop to Smart’s comments was an unforgettable 2024 campaign where Georgia met Texas not once but twice — first in the regular season and then again in the high-stakes SEC Championship Game. Georgia prevailed on both occasions, with a decisive 30-15 win during the season and a narrow 22-19 victory in a dramatic overtime finish that sealed the conference crown. Yet despite those victories, Smart made it abundantly clear: Texas is no team to overlook, and Steve Sarkisian has built a program that commands genuine respect in the toughest league in college football.
Smart, known for his meticulous preparation and guarded demeanor, seldom heaps praise lightly. So when he spoke about Sarkisian’s leadership, Texas’ depth, and the looming threat of rising star quarterback Arch Manning, it wasn’t just lip service—it was the recognition of a rivalry that could define the SEC for years to come. “If you’re going to beat a good football team, you’ve got to be a sound football team yourself,” Smart stated emphatically. That line, though simple, was loaded with meaning. It was a nod to Texas’ growth, their completeness as a unit, and how every inch of success Georgia earned against them had to be fought for. In Kirby Smart’s eyes, beating Texas meant being at your best. Anything less would not suffice.
The respect is rooted not just in competition, but also in a shared coaching lineage. Both Smart and Sarkisian trace their roots to the Nick Saban coaching tree, and their teams reflect the high standards and elite execution that have long defined that pedigree. Smart acknowledged Sarkisian as one of the premier minds in college football, particularly noting how Texas has evolved under his guidance into a program capable of competing—and winning—at the SEC level. That development has been rapid and relentless, with Texas blending elite recruiting, savvy coaching, and a revitalized culture of toughness and accountability. For Smart to recognize that so openly is a testament to the work being done in Austin.
The two games between Georgia and Texas last season were showcases of elite football. In the regular season, Georgia leaned on its suffocating defense and punishing run game to control the tempo and gradually break Texas’ resolve in a 30-15 win. But it was the SEC Championship Game where the rivalry truly exploded into national consciousness. That game, defined by grit, adjustments, and raw talent, came down to the wire. Texas pushed Georgia to the brink, led by a surging offense and a defense that came prepared to punch back. Georgia needed every ounce of experience, poise, and execution to escape with a 22-19 overtime victory—a result that only further legitimized Texas as a force to be reckoned with.
At the heart of Smart’s admiration for Texas is the emergence of Arch Manning, the new QB1 for the Longhorns. The Manning name carries its own weight, but Arch is carving his own path with a blend of composure, arm strength, and football IQ that has coaches across the country paying attention. Smart didn’t hesitate to speak highly of the young quarterback, highlighting his ability to extend plays, command the huddle, and elevate those around him. “He’s got the tools, and he’s in a system that will let him flourish,” Smart said. Coming from a defensive mastermind like Kirby Smart, that is not a small endorsement.
Beyond the quarterback position, Smart pointed to Texas’ physicality in the trenches and their improved discipline as signs of a program that’s learning how to win big games. Georgia has long set the standard in those areas, particularly during their recent championship runs. For Smart to identify those same traits in the Longhorns means that Texas is closing the gap on college football’s elite. Their transition into the SEC has not been without bumps, but the foundation Sarkisian has built is strong, and the ceiling remains sky-high. In 2025, Smart believes Texas will be right in the thick of the SEC title race.
The significance of Smart’s comments isn’t lost on observers of the college football landscape. Media Days often involve coachspeak and vague generalities, but Smart’s remarks cut through the noise. His tone was serious, deliberate, and laced with the kind of respect that only comes from facing a worthy opponent. “They’re well-coached, they’ve got playmakers all over the field, and they’re hungry,” he said. “That’s a dangerous combination.” Coming from the coach of the reigning SEC champions, those words carry weight.
For Sarkisian and Texas, the praise is a clear signal that they’ve arrived on the big stage. The journey has been long, and at times, filled with growing pains. But the commitment from the university, the buy-in from players, and the vision Sarkisian has implemented are finally bearing fruit. The 2024 campaign proved that Texas isn’t just in the SEC to fill out the schedule—they’re here to contend. And while they fell just short against Georgia, the experience hardened them, shaped them, and left them hungry for more.
The Texas-Georgia rivalry is still young, but its intensity is unmistakable. Both programs have top-tier talent, top-tier coaching, and the kind of national relevance that makes every matchup must-watch television. If Arch Manning develops into the star many believe he will become, and if Georgia maintains its elite standard under Smart, this could be the defining rivalry of the next decade in the SEC. The mutual respect is there, but so is the competitive fire. These teams don’t just want to beat each other—they want to be the best, and they know that to do so, they’ll likely have to go through each other again and again.
Smart also took a broader view of what Texas’ rise means for the SEC. With the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, the league has only grown more formidable. Every week presents a challenge, every game a potential pitfall. Smart acknowledged that the new-look SEC is not for the faint of heart, and teams like Texas make it even tougher to stay at the top. But he welcomed the challenge, stating that iron sharpens iron, and that the presence of programs like Texas will only elevate the standard for everyone.
That competitive mindset is what separates Kirby Smart from so many of his peers. He doesn’t shy away from competition—he embraces it, learns from it, and uses it to refine his team. That’s why his praise of Sarkisian and Texas matters. It’s not about diplomacy or politeness. It’s about respect earned on the field, forged in the crucible of elite-level football. When Smart talks about Texas being “complete,” he’s saying they’ve passed the test. They’re no longer an outsider looking in—they’re part of the conversation, and a legitimate threat to the throne.
The 2025 season promises even more drama, and Texas will enter it with high expectations. With Arch Manning now firmly entrenched as the starter, and a core of playmakers returning on both sides of the ball, they have the firepower to challenge anyone. Sarkisian’s job now is to build on the momentum, refine the details, and keep his team locked in. The SEC doesn’t wait for anyone, and Smart made it clear that complacency is punished in this league. But if Texas continues on its current trajectory, they’ll be in the thick of the playoff conversation—and perhaps even back in the SEC Championship Game for another shot at Georgia.
In the end, Kirby Smart’s words at SEC Media Days were more than just praise—they were a warning. A warning that Texas is no longer rebuilding. They’re ready. Ready to challenge. Ready to compete. Ready to win. And coming from the man who’s built the modern powerhouse of the SEC, that should make everyone in college football sit up and take notice. The road to the top just got even tougher, and if you want to wear the crown, you’d better be prepared to go through Texas. Just ask Kirby Smart. He knows. He’s been there. And he’s seen firsthand what Sarkisian and the Longhorns are capable of when they bring their best.
