Texas Longhorns: A Way-Too-Early Look at 2025’s Top 25 College Football Teams

As the 2024 college football season wraps up, and the dust begins to settle, it’s never too early to start thinking about the teams that will dominate the landscape in 2025. The Texas Longhorns, under head coach Steve Sarkisian, are one of those teams that are poised to make a big impact in the coming season. Coming off a strong performance in 2024 and continuing their upward trajectory in recruiting and player development, the Longhorns are certainly a team to watch as they look to solidify their place in the college football elite.

This “way-too-early” ranking attempts to capture the teams that have shown promise and, for teams like Texas, the programs that are trending in the right direction. With returning talent, incoming recruits, and strong coaching, the Texas Longhorns are more than ready to make a run at the College Football Playoff and potentially the national title in 2025.

Here’s a breakdown of why Texas is positioned so highly in the way-too-early top 25 rankings, and what they need to do to fulfill their potential in 2025.

Texas Longhorns: Expectations and Outlook for 2025

Strong Finish to 2024

The 2024 season saw Texas rise to prominence under the leadership of Steve Sarkisian, with the team making significant strides both offensively and defensively. After a mixed 2023 season, the Longhorns entered 2024 with a renewed sense of focus. Key victories, such as their win over Alabama earlier in the season and a dominating performance in the Big 12 Championship Game, helped establish them as one of the premier programs in the nation.

Texas finished the 2024 regular season with an 11-2 record and earned a spot in a prestigious New Year’s Six bowl game. The Longhorns demonstrated offensive balance, featuring the electric dual-threat quarterback Quinn Ewers, a stable of talented running backs, and a stout defense that allowed them to play complementary football. They took care of business against conference rivals and played competitively in the national picture, something that would lay the foundation for a serious playoff push in 2025.

Key Returners

One of the most significant factors that will contribute to Texas’ success in 2025 is the return of key players, both on offense and defense. This includes their quarterback Quinn Ewers, who will be entering his junior season in 2025 after a solid but occasionally inconsistent 2024. Ewers has shown flashes of brilliance but will need to continue improving his decision-making and accuracy, especially with the pressure that will come from Texas being a national contender. His development over the offseason and during spring practices will be crucial for Texas’ national aspirations.

Running back Jonathon Brooks will also be back for his senior season, providing stability in the backfield after a stellar 2024 campaign. Brooks’ combination of power and speed makes him one of the most dangerous running backs in the nation, and Texas will rely on him to control the tempo of games and take some of the pressure off of Ewers.

On the defensive side, Texas boasts one of the more talented units in the country, with standout players such as linebacker Jaylan Ford and edge rusher Ethan Burke, who will both return in 2025. Ford is an incredibly productive and versatile linebacker who has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. Meanwhile, Burke has shown flashes of becoming one of the top pass-rushers in the Big 12, and his continued development could be a game-changer for the Longhorns’ defense.

In the secondary, the return of cornerbacks Malik Muhammad and Terrence Brooks will provide much-needed depth and experience to a unit that already has a great deal of talent. The Longhorns’ defense, which was solid in 2024, should be even more formidable in 2025 with these experienced players returning for another season.

The 2025 Recruiting Class

One of the things that really separates Texas from many of its competitors heading into 2025 is the strength of its recruiting class. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff have made a concerted effort to recruit elite talent, especially in the trenches, and this effort is starting to pay dividends.

The 2025 class is filled with talent at nearly every position, including multiple 5-star and high 4-star recruits. Quarterback Arch Manning, one of the most highly touted recruits in recent memory, is expected to join the Longhorns for the 2025 season. While Manning may not start immediately, he brings incredible potential to the program and will push for playing time. Texas also landed a number of talented offensive linemen, which should help continue to bolster their already strong line.

In addition to the offensive recruits, the Longhorns’ defensive class is headlined by several elite edge rushers, cornerbacks, and linebackers, all of whom should see the field early in their careers. With the combination of experienced veterans and highly touted recruits, Texas’ roster for 2025 is stacked with talent, which bodes well for their future.

Texas’ Path to a National Title in 2025

While Texas has the talent and coaching to make a run at a national title in 2025, there are several hurdles the team must overcome. The Longhorns play in one of the toughest conferences in college football, the Big 12, which will continue to be a competitive league even as Texas prepares to transition to the SEC. Their matchups against Baylor, Oklahoma, and other conference opponents will test them week in and week out, and they must continue to avoid slip-ups if they want to secure a playoff spot.

One of the keys for Texas will be continuing to develop the young talent on the roster. With so many newcomers, there will be growing pains, but if Sarkisian and his coaching staff can mold them into key contributors, the Longhorns will be in a great position to compete for championships. Consistency will be key, especially from their quarterback position. If Ewers can continue to progress and play at a high level, it could elevate Texas’ offense to an even higher level.

Another important factor will be the development of their defense. The Longhorns will need to maintain their strong defensive play from 2024 and find ways to increase their pass-rushing pressure. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski will need to put together a game plan that takes advantage of Texas’ personnel, and the unit will need to continue to be aggressive in forcing turnovers and stifling opposing offenses.

The most important factor, of course, will be staying healthy. Texas has struggled with injuries in recent years, and avoiding key injuries to players like Ewers, Brooks, and the defensive stars will be vital for their success in 2025.

Texas Longhorns’ 2025 Way-Too-Early Top 25 Ranking

In a year where many of college football’s traditional powerhouses are also loaded with talent, Texas still stands out as one of the most complete and promising teams in the nation. As of now, in the way-too-early rankings, the Longhorns are ranked as one of the top 5 teams in the nation. Here’s why they’re in that conversation:

1. Return of Key Players – Texas brings back key offensive and defensive playmakers, including Quinn Ewers, Jonathon Brooks, Jaylan Ford, and Ethan Burke, all of whom will be crucial to their success in 2025.
2. Elite Recruiting Class – The 2025 recruiting class is stacked with talent, particularly in areas like quarterback, offensive line, and defensive line. This gives Texas depth and the ability to compete at the highest levels across the field.
3. Strong Coaching Staff – Head coach Steve Sarkisian has made significant strides in his tenure, and the Texas coaching staff, particularly on defense, will be integral in preparing the Longhorns for the big stage in 2025.
4. Potential for Playoff Push – With their returning talent, top-tier recruits, and a favorable schedule, Texas is poised to challenge for a College Football Playoff spot in 2025, with aspirations of winning the national title.