Texas Longhorns Open Fall Camp With Strong First Practice as Coaches and Fans Get Fresh Look at 2025 Title Contenders
The Texas Longhorns wrapped up their first practice of fall camp on Wednesday, and with it came a fresh wave of anticipation, optimism, and energy that signals the start of what could be a season to remember. After months of offseason speculation and weight-room preparation, the 2025 Longhorns took the field for the first time with real intensity and urgency, offering coaches and fans alike a renewed glimpse into a team brimming with talent, experience, and championship ambition.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian was upbeat following the session, praising the team’s tempo, focus, and overall readiness. While it was only the first official practice, the tone was unmistakable—this is a Texas team that believes the pieces are finally in place to take the next step. With returning veterans, highly touted underclassmen, and a coaching staff entering its most cohesive form, everything about Day One had the look and feel of a program with high expectations and no time to waste.
At the center of the attention was quarterback Arch Manning, who has officially assumed the starting role following the departure of Quinn Ewers to the NFL. Manning looked sharp throughout practice, showing off his improved footwork, quicker release, and a clear command of the offense. Teammates noted that Manning’s voice carried more authority this time around, as he directed receivers, adjusted protections, and delivered strikes in 7-on-7 and full-team reps.
Manning’s chemistry with his receiving corps appears to be one of the biggest early bright spots. Junior wideout Johntay Cook II, who is expected to be Manning’s go-to target this fall, looked explosive and confident, torching defenders during one-on-ones and connecting with Manning on several deep completions. Isaiah Bond, a transfer from Alabama, also flashed with his speed and precise route-running, giving Texas a potent one-two punch on the outside that will stress defenses across the SEC.
Behind them, a deep and talented group of young receivers rotated through reps, with several underclassmen—including five-star true freshman Andre Harrison—turning heads. The passing game felt crisp, a testament not only to Manning’s development but also to the continuity in Sarkisian’s offensive scheme and the chemistry being built across the unit.
The offensive line, anchored by returning veterans Kelvin Banks Jr. and DJ Campbell, looked solid, with strong communication and physicality in the trenches. While full-contact work remains limited in the early days of camp, the initial returns were promising. Texas has invested heavily in the trenches over the last three recruiting cycles, and it’s starting to show. There’s real depth along the offensive front now—something the Longhorns haven’t always had—and the staff is confident that this group can protect Manning while opening running lanes for a dynamic backfield.
Speaking of the backfield, running backs Cedric Baxter Jr. and Tre Wisner wasted no time establishing themselves as a dangerous duo. Baxter, entering his junior season, ran with power and balance, consistently finishing plays through contact, while Wisner showed off his versatility as both a runner and pass-catcher. Their contrasting styles give Texas the ability to change tempo and scheme, which will be critical in navigating a brutal SEC schedule.
But for all the talk about the offense—and understandably, there is plenty—the real buzz coming out of the first practice centered around the defense, and particularly the leadership and dominance of returning linebackers Jaylan Ford and Anthony Hill Jr. Ford, a steady and cerebral presence in the middle, set the tone early, barking out calls and anticipating plays with the precision of a future NFL linebacker. Hill, entering his third year, was perhaps the most noticeable player on the field, flying to the ball, disrupting passing lanes, and energizing the defense with his relentless motor.
Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski was pleased with the communication and physicality on that side of the ball. Texas has built a reputation for bending but not breaking over the past two seasons, but this group looks ready to take the next leap. The depth in the front seven is as good as it’s been in over a decade, with players like Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton, and Justice Finkley rotating seamlessly and bringing consistent pressure.
The defensive backfield is still sorting out some roles, but the talent is unmistakable. Malik Muhammad and Terrance Brooks, both returning starters, held their own in coverage and showed signs of being more physical at the point of attack. Transfer safety KJ Bolden, one of the top newcomers in the nation, made a strong first impression with his awareness and range, while veteran Michael Taaffe looked more vocal and decisive as the leader of the secondary.
Special teams also got some attention, with returning kicker Will Stone and punter Ryan Sanborn working on situational drills. After last season’s mixed results in the third phase of the game, the emphasis in early fall camp is clear—Texas wants to clean up the details and eliminate the hidden yardage that often separates playoff teams from merely good ones.
Still, Day One wasn’t just about technique and performance. The energy, the swagger, and the sense of urgency were impossible to miss. This is a team that understands what’s at stake in 2025. After narrowly missing the national title game last season, the returning players have made it clear: anything less than a College Football Playoff return will be a disappointment.
That’s a bold standard to embrace, especially with an SEC schedule that includes road trips to Georgia and LSU, plus a pivotal home game against Alabama in mid-October. But this group doesn’t seem overwhelmed by the pressure. If anything, they appear motivated by it.
Leadership will be a crucial factor in meeting those expectations. On offense, Manning and Cook are emerging as the tone-setters, while Ford and Hill remain the unquestioned leaders on defense. Sarkisian has talked at length about “player-led accountability,” and early signs indicate that this is the most player-driven team of his tenure. There’s buy-in across the roster, and a noticeable lack of complacency despite the preseason hype.
The staff has also continued to preach depth and versatility. With a long season ahead and the possibility of injuries and attrition, Sarkisian and his coordinators are placing a premium on cross-training and rotating players throughout multiple positions. That’s especially true in the secondary and defensive line, where position battles are expected to extend deep into camp.
Off the field, the vibe around the program is just as focused. Media availability following practice showed a mature and locked-in team, with players deflecting individual praise in favor of team goals. Several veterans referenced last year’s playoff loss and how it shaped the mindset of the locker room. There’s a collective understanding that talent alone isn’t enough. Execution, discipline, and mental toughness must be present every week—especially in a league as unforgiving as the SEC.
As for Sarkisian, he seems energized by what he’s seeing. Entering his fifth year at Texas, he’s finally overseeing a roster built fully in his image—big, fast, smart, and physical. His fingerprints are all over the program now, from the pace of practice to the leadership structure to the locker room culture. The standard is higher, the expectations clearer, and the margin for error narrower than ever before.
Fall camp will continue over the next few weeks, with scrimmages and padded practices ahead that will provide even more clarity on rotations, positional battles, and the pecking order on both sides of the ball. But if the first day is any indication, Texas has entered this season with something different—a quiet confidence that comes not from hype, but from hard-earned belief.
Whether that belief will translate into a championship run remains to be seen. College football is unpredictable, and even the most talented teams are one injury or one off-week away from disappointment. But for now, the Longhorns are exactly where they want to be: healthy, hungry, and ready to work.
Wednesday’s first fall practice wasn’t about making bold statements or putting together highlight reels. It was about setting the tone, shaking off the rust, and starting the climb toward a goal that’s eluded Texas for over a decade. And as the sun set on the practice fields in Austin, one thing became clear—this team is locked in. This team knows what it wants. And this team, led by a new quarterback and anchored by a veteran core, might finally be ready to turn potential into hardware.
