Texas Longhorns Eye a National Championship Run as College Football Season Approaches with High Expectations and Renewed Optimism
The college football season is fast approaching, with kickoff for several marquee matchups just a little more than a month away. Among the most intriguing teams to watch in 2025 is the Texas Longhorns—a program rich in tradition, talent, and expectations. As they gear up for their first season as full members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Longhorns carry the weight of both hope and pressure. After years of inconsistency and near-misses, this might finally be the year they live up to the hype and make a legitimate run at a national championship.
Coming off a strong 2024 campaign that saw Texas finish with a 12-2 record and a trip to the College Football Playoff, there is legitimate buzz surrounding the program. Steve Sarkisian has steadily rebuilt the culture in Austin since his arrival, and he now appears to have the kind of roster that can contend with the best teams in the country on a weekly basis. Perhaps more importantly, the Longhorns now boast a level of physicality, depth, and experience that’s crucial for survival in the SEC, where every Saturday feels like a war.
At quarterback, Texas returns Quinn Ewers, the former five-star phenom who has steadily matured into one of the more efficient and poised passers in the country. While some speculated Ewers might jump to the NFL after 2024, he surprised many by announcing his return for another season. The decision speaks volumes about his commitment to unfinished business and his belief in what this team can achieve. Ewers is now the elder statesman in a quarterback room that also includes Arch Manning, whose presence adds intrigue and pressure to every snap. Still, Ewers has the keys to the offense and seems fully in command of Sarkisian’s system.
The weapons around Ewers are among the most dynamic in the country. The receiving corps is deep and experienced, headlined by returning stars like Xavier Worthy and Johntay Cook II, both of whom can stretch the field vertically and turn short passes into explosive plays. Freshman wideout Micah Hudson, a five-star signee and one of the jewels of Texas’ top-five recruiting class, is expected to make an immediate impact as well. At tight end, Ja’Tavion Sanders is a matchup nightmare who can line up anywhere on the field and create mismatches against linebackers and safeties alike.
The running back position, though without a clear feature back after the departure of Jonathon Brooks to the NFL, remains stocked with talent. Sophomore CJ Baxter showed flashes of brilliance in limited action last year, and he’s expected to take on a larger role. Jaydon Blue and freshman Jerrick Gibson provide additional explosiveness and depth. While the room lacks a proven bell cow, it has multiple capable runners who can shoulder the load in different situations.
Up front, the offensive line returns all five starters from last season, a rare luxury in today’s transfer-heavy era. Kelvin Banks Jr., the anchor at left tackle, is widely regarded as a future first-round pick and one of the top linemen in the nation. The continuity and chemistry built over the past two years should pay dividends, especially against the punishing defensive fronts Texas will face in the SEC. Sarkisian has emphasized trench play as a priority in his rebuild, and this year’s line might be the most complete unit Texas has had in over a decade.
Defensively, the Longhorns took a major step forward in 2024 under coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, and they aim to build on that progress this fall. The defensive line is deep and disruptive, led by T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II, both of whom are capable of collapsing the pocket and stuffing the run. If this unit continues its dominance up front, it could make life significantly easier for the back seven.
The linebacker corps, anchored by Jaylan Ford, is fast, physical, and instinctive. Ford, a tackling machine, provides leadership and playmaking ability in the middle of the field. He’s joined by Anthony Hill Jr., a rising sophomore who has the athleticism to play sideline to sideline and rush the passer when needed. The development of Hill into an every-down player could be a game-changer for this defense.
The secondary, which struggled with consistency in previous years, appears much improved. Jahdae Barron and Terrance Brooks return with starting experience, and the addition of transfers like Andrew Mukuba from Clemson and Malik Muhammad from Alabama provides a mix of experience and upside. If the group can limit big plays and tighten up in red-zone situations, Texas could field one of the more balanced defenses in the SEC.
The schedule, however, offers no favors. As part of their inaugural SEC campaign, Texas will face a gauntlet that includes Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M. The Red River Showdown with Oklahoma remains a midseason measuring stick, and road trips to hostile environments like Death Valley and Tuscaloosa will test the Longhorns’ composure and depth. Every week will demand focus and execution. There will be no soft stretches, and any hopes of reaching the playoff will require Texas to be at or near its best from start to finish.
Yet there’s a quiet confidence emanating from the Texas locker room. Unlike in past years, the optimism feels grounded in substance rather than hype. The roster is filled with players who have been through the grind of a long season, who’ve experienced both victory and heartbreak, and who understand the level of preparation needed to win in the SEC. The depth across the board—especially in the trenches and at quarterback—gives Texas an edge it hasn’t consistently had in years.
Sarkisian deserves much of the credit for the turnaround. Known for his offensive acumen, he’s also built a culture of accountability and competition. Practices are intense, and the staff has prioritized development and retention alongside recruiting. Texas’ recent success on the trail has been bolstered by NIL opportunities and facility upgrades, but it’s the on-field progress that’s made the most compelling case to recruits and fans alike. The Longhorns are no longer simply chasing relevance—they’re building something sustainable.
The looming expansion of the College Football Playoff to twelve teams adds an interesting wrinkle. For Texas, this means that even a two-loss season could be enough to earn a playoff spot, provided those losses come against top-tier opponents. But make no mistake: this team isn’t aiming to sneak into the postseason—they want to dominate. The standard is rising in Austin, and anything short of an SEC Championship berth and a deep playoff run will be viewed as a disappointment.
This transitional year into the SEC will be a defining moment not just for Texas football, but for the identity of the program going forward. How the Longhorns fare against college football’s toughest competition will shape narratives for years to come. A strong showing could elevate the program back into the elite tier, alongside Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Michigan. A stumble, on the other hand, might feed old doubts about whether Texas is truly “back.”
Fans, boosters, and alumni are watching closely. There’s a sense that the pieces are finally in place. The recruiting is elite, the quarterback room is as talented as any in the country, the lines are physical, and the defense is fast and improving. The coaching staff is experienced and cohesive. It’s all there—on paper. But championships aren’t won in July.
As kickoff inches closer, Texas will have to tune out the noise and focus on execution. For all the external excitement, the game still comes down to fundamentals: blocking, tackling, decision-making, and heart. The Longhorns have talked the talk. Now it’s time to walk the walk. The eyes of the college football world are fixed on Austin. And for the first time in a long time, the Longhorns might actually be ready to deliver.
Let the season begin.
