Texas Longhorns Set to Begin 2025 Fall Football Training Camp as Sarkisian Prepares Team for Championship Expectations
As the summer heat intensifies in Austin and the countdown to kickoff grows shorter, all eyes turn to one highly anticipated event—Texas football’s fall training camp. For fans, analysts, and players alike, the start of camp marks the official beginning of a season brimming with expectations. The 2025 edition is no ordinary year. With a stacked roster, playoff dreams, and the pressure of competing in the SEC, fall camp will play a pivotal role in determining whether the Longhorns are truly ready to make a championship run.
Texas will open fall camp on Monday, August 5, at the Longhorns’ practice facility in Austin. This date, set in alignment with NCAA regulations regarding preseason practices, gives the team a full month to prepare before their season opener in early September. For head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff, these four weeks represent the most critical phase of preparation—a time to build chemistry, establish depth charts, fine-tune schemes, and solidify leadership on and off the field.
The energy surrounding this year’s camp is palpable. After an impressive 2024 campaign that included a College Football Playoff appearance, Texas enters 2025 with legitimate national title aspirations. But with great expectations come great scrutiny. Every rep, every drill, and every press conference will be dissected by fans and media looking for signs of whether this team can take the next step.
Fall camp is more than just practice—it’s a proving ground. It’s where position battles are won, team identities are formed, and cultures are tested. For Texas, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This is a team full of blue-chip recruits, experienced veterans, and high-profile transfers, all converging under the bright lights of one of college football’s biggest stages. Sarkisian has built a roster capable of competing with anyone, but the true challenge lies in molding that talent into a cohesive, focused, and battle-tested unit.
One of the most closely watched storylines of camp will be the performance of quarterback Arch Manning. After sitting behind Quinn Ewers and seeing limited action in 2024, the spotlight now shifts entirely to the third-generation football prodigy. Manning has been heralded as the future of the program since the day he committed to Texas, and now that future becomes the present. Fall camp will give fans their first extended look at how comfortable and confident he is leading Sarkisian’s complex offense.
Early reports from summer workouts and player-led sessions suggest that Manning has made significant strides in both mechanics and leadership. He’s reportedly taken command of the locker room and is showing the maturity expected of someone bearing one of football’s most famous last names. But fall camp is a different animal. The speed ramps up, the pressure intensifies, and mistakes are magnified. Manning will need to demonstrate not just talent, but toughness, poise, and command.
Behind Manning, the Longhorns boast a talented quarterback room with depth that would be the envy of most programs. Redshirt sophomore Maalik Murphy and true freshman Zane Rowe will both compete for backup reps and look to show they can be trusted in live action if needed. Sarkisian values competition at every position, and while Manning is the clear favorite, the performance of his backups could influence game planning and future depth chart considerations.
Beyond the quarterback position, fall camp will feature intense competition across the board. On the offensive line, Texas is looking to finalize its starting five while building quality depth to endure the grind of an SEC schedule. Kelvin Banks Jr. returns as one of the top tackles in the nation, but camp will determine who fills key roles at center and guard, particularly with several newcomers vying for snaps.
The receiving corps, one of the deepest and most dynamic in the nation, will also undergo scrutiny. Xavier Worthy has moved on to the NFL, leaving room for players like Isaiah Bond, Johntay Cook II, and freshman phenom Ryan Wingo to step into larger roles. How they perform during camp will directly influence Sarkisian’s play-calling and how aggressive the passing attack can be in 2025. The chemistry between these receivers and Arch Manning will be a focal point throughout August.
Running back remains a strength with the return of Cedric Baxter Jr. and Jaydon Blue, plus transfer additions expected to add physicality and explosiveness. Position coach Tashard Choice will use fall camp to test their durability, pass protection, and ability to contribute in the receiving game. Depth at running back is essential, especially when navigating the physical toll of SEC play. Sarkisian is expected to use a committee approach early in the season, and camp will help determine who earns the lion’s share of the carries.
Defensively, fall camp will be equally important in setting the tone. Pete Kwiatkowski’s unit returns several key contributors from last season but must replace production lost to graduation and the NFL Draft. The front seven, long a strength under Sarkisian, will be anchored by T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II—assuming Murphy returns to full health. Their presence in camp will be critical in building continuity up front.
Linebacker play will be led by standout Anthony Hill Jr., who emerged as a dominant force last season. He’ll be joined by returners and a few promising underclassmen who will be tested early in camp to see who can handle the communication and responsibility the position requires. Depth here is a concern, so don’t be surprised if the coaching staff rotates several players early in camp to see who rises to the occasion.
The secondary, once considered the weak link in Texas’ defense, has steadily improved and now has a blend of youth and experience. Malik Muhammad and Terrance Brooks will lead a cornerback unit that must be ready to handle the SEC’s wide-open passing attacks. Safety remains a position to watch closely in camp, especially with new transfers looking to earn starting roles. Defensive backs coach Blake Gideon will be closely evaluating tackling and coverage fundamentals throughout camp sessions.
Special teams, often overlooked during the preseason, will receive added focus in camp. Kicking and punting duties are still up for grabs, with both positions seeing competition from returning players and incoming freshmen. Sarkisian has emphasized the importance of winning the hidden yardage battle, especially in games expected to be decided by field position and special teams execution.
Off the field, fall camp is just as important. It’s a time for building chemistry, reinforcing team culture, and setting behavioral standards. Sarkisian and his staff use this period to instill the mental discipline needed for a championship run. Practices will be grueling, and team meetings will focus heavily on accountability, preparation, and handling adversity. The physical demands are immense, but the psychological preparation might be even more critical.
Nutrition, recovery, sleep routines, and film study will all be monitored closely. Sarkisian has built a program that emphasizes the total development of players—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Fall camp isn’t just about learning plays; it’s about learning how to win, how to handle pressure, and how to stay locked in for the long haul.
This year’s training camp also brings added attention due to Texas’ new status in the SEC. The Longhorns are no longer the big dogs in the Big 12; they’re now part of the deepest, most competitive conference in the sport. Every team on the schedule is dangerous. Every game is physical. Every week is a test. Fall camp is the proving ground where the team prepares not just for Week One, but for the grind of a conference slate that includes Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and longtime rival Oklahoma.
Sarkisian has repeatedly stressed that this is a new chapter for Texas football. Fall camp is the first page. It’s where leadership emerges, weaknesses are addressed, and the path to a national title is paved one practice at a time. If the Longhorns want to hoist the trophy in January, the journey begins now—in the sweltering August heat, behind closed doors, where champions are made.
With a fanbase hungry for glory and a team built to contend, the start of Texas football fall camp on August 5 isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s the beginning of what could be a season for the ages. Whether they live up to the hype will depend on what happens over those crucial four weeks. One thing is certain: the eyes of Texas are upon them, and the time to rise is now.
