Uncovering the Hidden Gem of the Texas Longhorns: The Emerging Star Poised to Shine in 2025
When the national media turns its attention to the Texas Longhorns, the spotlight typically gravitates toward the five-star recruits, All-American candidates, and potential first-round NFL Draft picks. Names like Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning, and Xavier Worthy dominate headlines, with reason. The Longhorns are brimming with talent as they look to stake their claim in the SEC and contend for a national championship. But beneath the surface of a star-studded roster lies a player whose contributions could be the key to Texas making that leap from contender to champion. The term “hidden gem” is often thrown around loosely, but for Texas in 2025, it may truly apply to sophomore linebacker Derion Gullette.
Gullette isn’t exactly an unknown figure. A former four-star recruit out of Teague, Texas, he was one of the more intriguing members of the 2023 signing class. Coming off a senior season in high school lost to injury, Gullette entered the Forty Acres with plenty of potential and some uncertainty. He had the size and athleticism that recruiters drool over — 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, with the speed and fluidity to be effective in both run support and pass coverage. Still, given Texas’ depth and his recovery timeline, it was unclear how quickly he would find his role.
Fast forward to spring practice in 2025, and Gullette is no longer just another name on the roster. Coaches and teammates have praised his instincts, his motor, and most importantly, his growth. While Texas lost key contributors in the front seven to the NFL — including T’Vondre Sweat and Jaylan Ford — Gullette is emerging as a potential centerpiece of the new-look defense. He’s not just filling a hole; he’s redefining what the linebacker position can be in Pete Kwiatkowski’s scheme.
The beauty of Gullette’s game lies in his versatility. He can line up on the edge as a pass rusher or drop back and cover tight ends and running backs in the open field. That’s a rare combination at the college level. In practices and scrimmages, he’s flashed the ability to track down ball carriers sideline-to-sideline, shedding blockers with ease and showcasing elite closing speed. Against the pass, he’s fluid enough in coverage to disrupt intermediate routes and aggressive enough to blitz through gaps with precision timing.
Teammates rave about his work ethic. Senior defensive back Jahdae Barron called Gullette “a future leader of this defense,” while defensive coordinator Kwiatkowski noted that “Derion doesn’t need the spotlight to shine. He just shows up and does his job at an extremely high level.” It’s that blue-collar mentality — paired with natural gifts — that makes him such a compelling breakout candidate.
If Gullette becomes the type of impact player Texas envisions, it will be a huge boost to a defense in transition. The Longhorns were among the nation’s best in stopping the run last season, thanks in large part to their monstrous defensive line. With the departures up front, the onus shifts to the linebackers to provide more disruption. Gullette, paired with returning veterans like David Gbenda and Anthony Hill Jr., offers a blend of explosiveness and intelligence that could keep the defense from skipping a beat.
What separates Gullette from other potential breakout players on the Texas roster is how little fanfare he receives in comparison. He wasn’t the most talked-about player in his recruiting class, nor was he a household name even within Texas circles during his freshman year. But sometimes, it’s those players — the ones quietly grinding behind the scenes — who take the biggest leaps. And according to sources within the program, that leap is already underway.
Gullette’s journey to this point hasn’t been without adversity. That torn ACL in high school could have derailed his progress or shaken his confidence. Instead, it appears to have made him hungrier. He used his rehab period to not only get physically stronger but to absorb the Longhorns’ defensive playbook and study film. He came into last season perhaps a step behind physically, but mentally, he was already advanced. Now that his body has caught up, he looks like a complete player.
Texas has done a good job in recent years of developing defensive talent. Look at the transformation of players like Jaylan Ford, who went from a lightly recruited player to an All-Big 12 linebacker and NFL Draft prospect. Gullette could be on a similar trajectory. He has all the tools, and now he has the opportunity. With Texas entering the SEC this fall, the stage will be bigger, the games tougher, and the scrutiny more intense. That also means there’s more room for unexpected heroes to emerge.
Every championship team needs players who can rise above expectations. The stars will do what stars do — Ewers will make the throws, the receivers will make the plays, and the offensive line will try to dominate in the trenches. But it’s often the “hidden gems” who become the heartbeat of the team. Guys like Gullette, who may not make the preseason watchlists but find themselves making the crucial plays in October and November.
There’s something to be said for players who thrive without constant attention. In an era of NIL deals and social media branding, Gullette seems to care more about his tape than his TikTok. That mindset could serve him well, especially in a conference like the SEC, where old-school toughness and smart football still rule the day.
The idea of being Texas’ hidden gem also fits Gullette’s personality. He’s not a vocal self-promoter. He prefers to let his play do the talking, and if that continues, it won’t be long before the rest of the country starts to listen. His rise could mirror what we’ve seen from players like Georgia’s Nakobe Dean or LSU’s Harold Perkins — athletes who were well-regarded but didn’t truly explode onto the national scene until they had a platform.
If you’re looking for the player who could transform Texas’ defense from good to great, Derion Gullette might be your guy. He’s the kind of player who could tip the balance in close games, who can make the play on third down, force the fumble in the red zone, or track down a scrambling quarterback when everything else breaks down. Those are winning plays, made by winning players. And Texas believes it has one in No. 15.
As the Longhorns prepare to enter a new era in the SEC, there will be no shortage of headlines and bold predictions. But keep an eye on the quiet storm brewing at linebacker. Derion Gullette may not be on the preseason awards lists or the front of your media guide, but come season’s end, don’t be surprised if he’s the name that defines Texas’ identity. Because every great team needs a hidden gem. And in 2025, the Longhorns may have found theirs.
