PFF Names Two Texas Longhorns Stars Best in the Nation at Their Positions Heading Into the 2025 College Football Season
The Texas Longhorns are experiencing a renaissance under head coach Steve Sarkisian, and much of their newfound prominence can be attributed to elite player development. Pro Football Focus (PFF), known for its analytical deep dives and objective player grading, recently confirmed that belief by recognizing two Texas standouts as the best in the country at their respective positions. This is not just another preseason accolade—it’s a reflection of the program’s elite trajectory and a harbinger of what’s to come in 2025.
In an offseason packed with transfer portal movement, coaching carousel drama, and bold predictions, the quiet confidence coming out of Austin speaks volumes. The Longhorns are no longer talking about being “back”—they’re proving it on the field and on scouting reports. The PFF nod, in particular, further cements Texas’ rise as one of the premier football factories in the country.
The two Longhorns honored by PFF have been consistent performers, team leaders, and future NFL draft picks. But more than that, they embody what the Texas program is building: physical dominance, football IQ, and unwavering discipline.
Few players in recent memory have entered college football with as much hype as Quinn Ewers. A former five-star recruit and the No. 1 player in the 2021 class, Ewers originally committed to Ohio State before transferring to Texas—a move that sparked both skepticism and hope. After some inconsistent play in 2022, Ewers returned with a vengeance in 2023 and 2024, showing poise, command, and elite arm talent that scouts drool over.
Now entering the 2025 season, PFF has named Quinn Ewers the best quarterback in college football. It’s a staggering recognition, especially considering the talent pool across the country. But it’s one Ewers has earned through performance, resilience, and growth.
In 2024, Ewers threw for 4,125 yards, 38 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions, leading Texas to a College Football Playoff berth. His passer rating was among the highest in the nation, and his deep-ball accuracy improved significantly from his earlier seasons. Perhaps most impressively, he became a smarter, more efficient player—capable of checking into better plays, managing the pocket under pressure, and taking care of the football.
PFF cited Ewers’ elite decision-making and throw-by-throw consistency as key reasons for the top ranking. While he’s always had the arm strength and athleticism, it was his evolution as a game manager and field general that separated him from the pack. That’s a testament not only to Ewers himself, but also to Sarkisian’s quarterback-friendly scheme and ability to develop talent.
With another offseason of continuity, a reloaded wide receiver room, and perhaps the best offensive line he’s ever played behind, Ewers is positioned to make another leap. His leadership, maturity, and understanding of the offense have made him a true cornerstone for Texas’ championship hopes in 2025.
While quarterbacks tend to receive most of the attention, football purists know that elite teams are built in the trenches. And no one in the country, according to PFF, plays left tackle better than Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr.
A foundational piece of the Longhorns’ offensive line, Banks has steadily become the best pass protector in college football. After starting as a freshman in 2022 and showing flashes of dominance, Banks has developed into a complete tackle—capable of neutralizing elite edge rushers, creating lanes in the run game, and anchoring a unit that gave up the fewest sacks in the Big 12 last season.
In 2024, Banks allowed just one sack across more than 700 pass-blocking snaps. He graded out as PFF’s highest-rated tackle in both pass protection and run blocking, and his tape reflects those numbers: quick feet, powerful hands, elite hand placement, and incredible balance.
Banks’ presence gives the Longhorns unmatched flexibility in their offense. Ewers has blindside protection he can trust, allowing him to operate the offense with calm and patience. Meanwhile, Texas’ run game—already formidable with their stable of backs—benefits from Banks’ ability to seal the edge or kick out defenders in space.
NFL scouts have already taken notice. If Banks were eligible in the 2024 draft, he would have likely been a top-10 pick. As it stands, he’s the odds-on favorite to be the first offensive lineman off the board in 2025.
PFF lauded his technique, football IQ, and ability to perform under pressure against elite competition. Whether it’s an SEC edge rusher or a future first-rounder lining up across from him, Banks rarely loses.
The individual success of Ewers and Banks is not just about two elite players. It’s indicative of the system Sarkisian has put in place. From recruiting and player development to offensive philosophy and team culture, Texas is finally operating like a national powerhouse.
Under Sarkisian, Texas has embraced physicality in the trenches, surrounded its quarterback with weapons and protection, and built a defense that can hold its own. But most importantly, the Longhorns have found consistency—something the program lacked for over a decade.
Having two players named best in the nation at their respective positions by PFF doesn’t just reflect elite talent—it confirms that Texas is producing pros. It signals to recruits, fans, and NFL teams that Austin is a destination where you can develop into the best version of yourself, compete for championships, and prepare for the next level.
With Ewers at quarterback and Banks on the offensive line, Texas has the infrastructure for a championship run. The offensive line returns multiple starters, the receiver corps is deep, and the running game is strong. Defensively, the Longhorns have addressed needs through the portal and high school recruiting, giving them a balanced roster capable of contending with anyone in the SEC.
The 2025 schedule won’t be easy—Texas will face Alabama, Georgia, and Oklahoma during the regular season. But with elite leadership on the field and continuity in the coaching staff, this team has the pieces to not just survive that gauntlet but thrive in it.
Ewers and Banks won’t be able to carry the team alone, but their presence ensures that Texas’ offensive identity will be dangerous every Saturday. When you have the best quarterback and the best left tackle in the nation, your chances of success multiply exponentially.
For both Ewers and Banks, 2025 will likely be their final season in Austin. Each is projected as a first-round NFL Draft pick, with Banks possibly going in the top five and Ewers climbing up boards as teams look for franchise quarterbacks.
But beyond the draft stock, there’s a legacy component to this season. If Texas can win the SEC or make a deep playoff run, Ewers and Banks will be remembered not just as elite players—but as program-changers. They could become the faces of Texas’ return to national dominance, laying the foundation for future stars and future championships.
Their inclusion atop PFF’s positional rankings is a nod to that potential—a sign that the Longhorns are no longer building toward something. They’re already there.
The recognition from PFF is more than just a preseason talking point. It’s a validation of years of work, growth, and investment from the Texas coaching staff and its players. Quinn Ewers and Kelvin Banks Jr. stand as living proof that the Longhorns are not only recruiting elite talent—but developing it into the very best in the nation.
As the 2025 season approaches, Texas fans have every reason to believe this team is primed for greatness. With stars at key positions and a growing culture of excellence, the Longhorns are no longer a team clinging to past glory. They are, quite literally, a force in the present—with two of the absolute best leading the charge.
