Now entering his fifth season, the Texas Longhorns’ Steve Sarkisian hands the keys to redshirt sophomore Arch Manning, the most anticipated QB in years.
Backed by a roster loaded with blue-chip talent, Texas isn’t just in the spotlight; they’re expected to own it. For many, 2025 feels like the year the Longhorns finally reclaim college football’s biggest prize: the national championship.
Analyst Says Texas Must Deliver National Championship in 2025
Most pre-season projections have the Longhorns in the top three. After leading his program to the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2024, HC Sarkisian now faces expectations to take the next step.
According to JD PicKell on a recent episode of On3, 2025 isn’t just another shot at glory; it’s the year Texas has to win the major one.
“If Texas does not win a national championship, it is absolutely fair to call this season a failure,” PicKell said.
“This is nothing to do with the Texas logo,” PicKell added. “This is everything to do with the work that Steve Sarkisian and everyone involved in Austin have put in over the course of the last three-plus years.”
The countdown is nearly over; college football returns on August 23 with Week 0. Texas is widely projected as a top contender. The program has earned early praise for its depth and the star power already emerging among its projected starters.
Leading the charge is safety Michael Taaffe, who enters his fifth year as one of the most valuable defenders in the nation. Ranked just behind Caleb Downs among returning safeties, Taaffe nearly doubled his tackle total last season, from 48 to 78, and racked up 10 pass breakups, up from just two the year before.
CB Malik Muhammad also returns after a breakout season as a full-time starter. He was rated the Longhorns’ second-best coverage corner behind Jahdae Barron. He is expected to anchor the perimeter alongside senior Jaylon Guilbeau, who shifts outside after spending most of 2024 in the slot.
The secondary remains stacked. Jelani McDonald, one of the top run-stopping safeties in the FBS, will take over the nickel role. Derek Williams Jr. returns from a season-ending knee injury to fill the final safety spot.
And then there’s Manning. After a year of anticipation, the redshirt sophomore finally takes over at QB, something fans have been clamoring for since last season. If Manning lives up to the hype, Texas could be staring down its first national championship appearance since 2010. Experts aren’t just hopeful; they’re confident.
