Where Experts Are Ranking Texas Football in Way-Too-Early 2025 Rankings
As the 2024 college football season draws to a close and teams begin to set their sights on the next year, the annual tradition of “way-too-early” rankings begins to take shape. These rankings are typically based on projected rosters, recruiting classes, and overall trends from the previous season, but they are by no means definitive. They often serve as early predictions and a starting point for conversations about the future of college football teams. The Texas Longhorns, with their rich history and rising football program, have naturally been a subject of interest in these early rankings for the 2025 season.
In recent years, the Longhorns have slowly but surely clawed their way back into the national conversation, with head coach Steve Sarkisian at the helm. After a mixed performance in his first two years, Sarkisian’s team in 2024 showed significant improvement. The Longhorns ended the season with a promising outlook, and as they transition into the 2025 season, their potential is front and center in the college football community. But how high are experts ranking Texas in their way-too-early projections for 2025? In this article, we’ll explore where experts are placing the Texas Longhorns and break down the factors contributing to their positioning.
Texas Football’s 2024 Season: A Step Forward
Before diving into where Texas is ranked in these projections, it’s important to review how the Longhorns performed in 2024. Under Steve Sarkisian, Texas showed considerable progress, both offensively and defensively. The team’s offense, led by dynamic quarterback Quinn Ewers, flourished with a strong running game and a balanced attack that kept opposing defenses guessing. Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington provided reliable targets in the receiving game, while the offensive line played solid football, creating room for both the pass and the run.
Defensively, Texas also made great strides. The Longhorns’ defense, always an area of concern in previous years, significantly improved in 2024. Jalen Catalon and Jaylon Guilbeau were key contributors in the secondary, and the defensive line, anchored by T’Vondre Sweat, played a pivotal role in controlling the line of scrimmage. Texas made it to a New Year’s Six bowl game in 2024, showing that they were competitive with the top-tier programs in the nation.
While the Longhorns ultimately fell short in some high-profile games, their play throughout the year demonstrated a program on the rise. With the departure of key players and the graduation of several standouts, the 2025 season will see a lot of new faces, but the foundation built in 2024 sets a solid tone for Texas’ future.
Where Are Experts Ranking Texas in the Way-Too-Early 2025 Projections?
In the world of way-too-early rankings, the Texas Longhorns have earned a spot in the top 10 of several major publications and outlets, including ESPN, CBS Sports, and Athlon Sports. These rankings often reflect a mixture of optimism, performance trends, and roster analysis, and the Longhorns have proven they are a team with momentum as the 2025 season approaches. Let’s break down how experts are ranking the team and what factors are contributing to those rankings.
ESPN: Texas in the Top 10
ESPN’s way-too-early rankings for 2025 place the Texas Longhorns at No. 7 in the nation. This is a significant jump from years past when Texas struggled to crack the top 25 consistently. ESPN’s reasoning for this ranking is primarily based on the combination of returning talent and recruiting success that Texas has seen under Sarkisian.
One of the key reasons for ESPN’s optimism is the continued development of Quinn Ewers. After an up-and-down start to his career, Ewers showed flashes of brilliance in 2024, particularly in key moments. His growth as a leader and as a passer makes him a top contender for one of the best quarterbacks in college football. ESPN also highlights the Texas offensive line, which has steadily improved under Sarkisian’s leadership, allowing Ewers and the offense to thrive.
Additionally, ESPN points to Texas’ recruiting efforts, with several highly-rated incoming players expected to make an impact immediately. The Longhorns’ top-ranked 2024 recruiting class, along with a strong 2025 class, gives them a talented pool of players who could step in and help bolster the roster.
Defensively, Texas is in good shape as well. The return of Jalen Catalon in the secondary, along with other standout defensive players, gives the Longhorns a strong unit heading into 2025. ESPN also notes that Texas’ defensive line, which was a strength in 2024, should continue to perform well in 2025, helping Texas in both pass rush and run defense.
CBS Sports: Texas on the Rise at No. 8
CBS Sports ranks the Longhorns at No. 8 in their early 2025 rankings, placing them just slightly lower than ESPN’s projection. CBS Sports’ ranking highlights the team’s upward trajectory under Steve Sarkisian, but they also point to some potential concerns that may prevent Texas from reaching the top 5 immediately.
While the Longhorns return a significant amount of talent on offense and defense, CBS Sports notes that the team will need to develop more depth and replace some key players, especially along the defensive line and in the receiving corps. The loss of several star players to the NFL Draft and graduation could put pressure on the younger players to step up and contribute early in the season.
CBS Sports’ ranking also factors in the competitive nature of the Big 12, where Texas faces several strong teams every year. While Texas is certainly talented, CBS points out that teams like Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Baylor will continue to challenge Texas for dominance in the conference. The Longhorns’ ability to perform consistently against both in-conference rivals and top-tier non-conference opponents will be a major factor in determining whether they can break into the top 5 by the end of the season.
Athlon Sports: Texas Ranks High, But Can They Break Through?
Athlon Sports’ ranking is similar to CBS, with Texas placed at No. 6 in their way-too-early projection for the 2025 season. Athlon is bullish on the Longhorns, citing the potential of Quinn Ewers and a strong recruiting class as primary factors for optimism. However, they also highlight the question of whether the program can handle the expectations that come with being a top-ranked team.
Athlon’s analysis places a strong emphasis on offensive consistency. While Texas has talent, the question is whether they can play at a consistently high level throughout the entire season. The Longhorns had stretches of brilliance in 2024, but they also had moments where they looked vulnerable, especially against high-pressure defenses.
In addition to quarterback play, Athlon stresses the importance of depth. Texas has the talent to compete at the top level, but the team’s ability to rotate players effectively and stay healthy over the course of a grueling season will be crucial. Sarkisian’s ability to develop players and maintain a high level of performance throughout the year will be key to Texas’ success in 2025.
Why Experts Are High on Texas Football
Several key factors contribute to Texas’ favorable position in the early 2025 rankings. Here’s a deeper look at why experts are so high on the Longhorns:
1. Quinn Ewers’ Development
The development of Quinn Ewers is one of the most significant reasons for the optimism surrounding Texas in 2025. After a bumpy start to his college career, Ewers found more rhythm as the 2024 season progressed. His ability to throw the ball downfield with precision, combined with his leadership, has made him one of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2025 season. If he continues to improve, Texas could have a top-tier offense.
2. Recruiting Momentum
Texas has been on a hot streak when it comes to recruiting. The Longhorns’ 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes are stacked with talent, particularly in areas like the defensive line, linebacker, and wide receiver positions. Head coach Steve Sarkisian’s ability to bring in elite talent gives Texas the depth and skill to compete at the highest level.
3. Strong Coaching Staff
Steve Sarkisian has been steadily building a competitive program at Texas, and the 2025 season will be his third full year in charge. Sarkisian’s playcalling ability, offensive philosophy, and player development have all played a significant role in Texas’ recent improvement. His experience and vision for the program should continue to benefit the Longhorns moving forward.
4. Competitive Advantage in the Big 12
While Texas faces stiff competition from other Big 12 teams, they still maintain a level of talent and depth that should give them an edge over most teams in the conference. As Texas transitions into the SEC, they will have gained valuable experience in high-pressure conference games, setting them up for success at the national level.
Conclusion: Texas is on the Verge of Big Things
As the 2025 season looms on the horizon, experts are starting to recognize the Texas Longhorns as a legitimate contender. With a top 10 ranking in several way-too-early projections, the team’s future looks bright. While there are still questions to answer—especially regarding depth, consistency, and player development—the pieces are in place for Texas to make a significant jump in 2025.
If Quinn Ewers continues his development and the team maintains its upward trajectory in recruiting and player development, Texas could be in the mix for a national title by the end of the season. For Longhorns fans, the future has never looked this promising, and as the 2025 season draws closer, all eyes will be on Texas as they look to finally break through and compete at the highest level of college football.
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