Texas Longhorns Secondary Earns PFF’s No. 1 National Ranking Ahead of 2025 College Football Season, Validating DBU Legacy Hype
The Texas Longhorns have made noise in every facet of the game during their rise back to national prominence under head coach Steve Sarkisian. But as the program enters the 2025 college football season, it’s not just the offensive firepower or physicality in the trenches drawing national attention—it’s the secondary. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Texas secondary has earned the coveted No. 1 ranking in the country, a recognition that further cements the program’s claim to the “DBU” title and sets high expectations for a unit that appears as deep and talented as any in the nation.
For years, Texas fans have boasted about their program’s legacy at the defensive back position. Names like Earl Thomas, Michael Griffin, Quentin Jammer, Aaron Ross, and Michael Huff have headlined the Longhorns’ past defensive success. But the 2025 edition of the Texas secondary could go down as one of the best in program history—not just because of individual star power, but because of how well the entire group complements one another in terms of skill set, experience, and versatility.
The leader of the pack is senior safety Jahdae Barron, a returning starter who’s become the backbone of the secondary with his relentless motor, sharp instincts, and leadership qualities. Barron is the kind of player who can be used interchangeably in coverage or in run support, and his football IQ shows up in crucial moments. A preseason All-Big 12 selection last year, Barron has taken another leap forward this offseason. Scouts are already eyeing him as a high Day 2 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. His presence is felt on every snap, and his command over the defensive backfield gives the unit an edge that’s hard to replicate.
Opposite him is fellow safety Derek Williams Jr., the sophomore sensation who exploded onto the scene as a true freshman in 2024. Williams is a rare athlete—standing 6-foot-2 with long arms and elite closing speed. He made waves last season with several highlight-reel plays, including a game-clinching interception against Kansas State and a momentum-shifting hit against Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown. Williams not only has the physical tools of a future first-rounder, but he also plays with a mature understanding of route concepts and tackling angles. With a full year of experience under his belt, he enters 2025 poised to become a national name.
At cornerback, Texas arguably has the most enviable combination of size, speed, and depth in the nation. Terrance Brooks, a former five-star recruit, has blossomed into a shutdown corner capable of eliminating an opponent’s No. 1 receiver. Brooks brings a physical edge to the position, with the ability to press at the line of scrimmage and disrupt timing routes. He’s technically sound, quick in his backpedal, and rarely caught out of position. Perhaps most impressively, he’s maintained consistency against elite competition. In a conference now dominated by dynamic passing attacks, Brooks’ emergence couldn’t come at a better time.
Joining him is Wake Forest transfer DaShawn Jones, who adds immediate veteran experience and versatility to the corner rotation. Jones was one of the top cover men in the ACC before transferring to Texas, and his decision to join the Longhorns was rooted in his belief that the program is ready to compete for a national title. He brings a savvy, cerebral approach to the position and has already meshed well with his new teammates in spring practices. Jones’ ability to play on the boundary or slide inside to cover the slot gives defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski another chess piece in what is shaping up to be an elite group.
But the story of the Texas secondary’s rise to No. 1 is as much about depth as it is about stars. Malik Muhammad, a sophomore cornerback who saw significant action last season, gives the Longhorns a true three-deep rotation at outside corner. Muhammad’s natural instincts and ball-tracking skills have earned rave reviews from coaches and analysts alike. At nickel, Austin Jordan is expected to see a bigger role this year and has impressed in off-season scrimmages with his agility and toughness. Freshmen Kobe Black and Santana Wilson, both blue-chip recruits, are already pushing for rotational reps—an encouraging sign for the future.
The versatility of the Texas defensive backs allows the coaching staff to experiment with a variety of coverages and alignments. Kwiatkowski and new secondary coach Blake Gideon have shown a willingness to use disguised coverages, bracket schemes, and aggressive press-man looks depending on the matchup. What makes this group special is its ability to execute complex schemes with discipline. They communicate well pre-snap, rarely get beat deep, and swarm to the football with relentless pursuit.
Statistically, Texas’ secondary made major strides in 2024, finishing top five nationally in opponent passer rating and third in interceptions. More importantly, they clamped down in high-leverage moments—holding teams to just a 43% conversion rate on third-and-long and allowing only two 100-yard receivers all season. That trend is expected to continue in 2025, especially with another year of chemistry and technique refinement.
The secondary’s dominance also reflects the improvements Texas has made in team defense as a whole. With a strong defensive front led by Alfred Collins and Barryn Sorrell, opposing quarterbacks often find themselves under duress. That pressure forces errant throws, and the Longhorns’ ballhawks are ready to capitalize. It’s a symbiotic relationship—great coverage leads to sacks, and great pressure leads to turnovers.
Texas has also done an excellent job of recruiting and developing defensive backs to fit their identity. While the portal has brought in key pieces like Jones, the bulk of this group was developed internally. That development speaks volumes about the Longhorns’ coaching staff and their ability to maximize talent. It’s no longer about collecting stars—it’s about crafting a complete, disciplined unit capable of winning games at the highest level.
And make no mistake—this secondary will be tested. Texas enters its first year in the SEC, where quarterbacks like Carson Beck (Georgia), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) will provide significant challenges. SEC offenses are fast, physical, and unrelenting, and the margin for error is razor-thin. But that’s exactly the type of crucible that could validate PFF’s ranking. If the Texas secondary continues to dominate against this new slate of elite opponents, it won’t just be the best secondary in the country—it could be one of the best we’ve seen in recent memory.
The hype is real, but the humility within the program is equally important. In spring interviews, Barron and Brooks were quick to downplay the individual accolades, emphasizing the need to keep working and to hold each other accountable. That culture of internal competition and collective accountability is what could ultimately separate this group from others. Talent alone doesn’t win championships—chemistry and execution do. And right now, Texas appears to have all three in abundance.
Perhaps what makes this unit even more dangerous is their hunger. Despite the accolades, none of these players have reached the College Football Playoff. None have won a national title. And after last year’s Sugar Bowl loss to Washington in a thriller, the returning starters carry a chip on their shoulder. The sting of that defeat—particularly how Washington picked apart the secondary late in the game—still lingers. That memory has fueled every off-season workout, every film session, and every practice rep.
As Texas prepares for a gauntlet SEC schedule, this group knows that the path to the College Football Playoff will not be easy. But with the No. 1 secondary in the country, they’ve got a weapon that few teams can match. Whether it’s erasing the top wideouts in the SEC, creating turnovers in crunch time, or simply giving their offense the extra possessions needed to win close games, the Texas secondary is poised to be the Longhorns’ X-factor in 2025.
So when the season kicks off and the spotlight is on, don’t be surprised if it’s the defensive backs making the most noise. In a sport increasingly dictated by the passing game, Texas has assembled the best counterpunch in the country. And with the eyes of the college football world watching, the Longhorns’ secondary is ready to prove that PFF’s No. 1 ranking was more than just preseason praise—it was a warning shot.
