Comparing 2025 Texas Longhorns to Last Season - Top 10 Reasons for Optimism

[Bevo92]

It’s been great debate this week, listening to @Gerry Hamiltonand @Bobby Burton compare thoughts on this year’s team relative to last season.

Gerry is in the mindset that our overall team will be better as a result of stacking top 5 recruiting classes plus an elite portal haul at areas of high need (TE, WR, DL, K, P) while Bobby seems more reserved and cautious, believing that QB may be the only position group on offense that’s improved.   I appreciate both perspectives.   

As I’ve thought about what Bobby and Gerry have shared plus thinking about where we stood going into game 1 last season versus where we are today, I like this overall team and our chances to win a national championship MUCH BETTER.   I’m more aligned with Gerry’s thinking and I’ll add a few more thoughts.  Would love to hear others thinking on where you view Texas headed into the 2025 Season.    Here’s my Top 10 Reasons why I think Texas is positioned to win it all this season and why we’re a better team than last season. 
 

Top 10 Reasons to be Excited About this Texas Longhorns Team:

1) Massive upgrade at QB with Arch over Quinn.   Yes, we lose Quinn’s experience but Arch is a much better overall QB.   Quinn threw 12 ints and his overall QB rating regressed.   Arch will help improve pass protection with his mobility, he’ll improve the WR threat with a more complete use of Sark’s playbook (deep passing attack, tight windows with lots of zip, back shoulder fades, etc).   Defenses will have much harder time defending our overall offense as Arch will be less predictable than Quinn.

2) Running game should be significantly stronger especially as the season wears on.   This became major liability once we hit playoffs last year as we had no power back threat up the middle.   That Ohio State game failure to score from goal line to tie it up 21-21 was a back breaker.   No run threat from the QB and no ability to pound it in.  G-C-G will be stronger and we’ll have more balance running this year.

3) Our WR room looks much stronger than last year.   Remember we had just lost 3 starting receivers to the NFL from 2023 team.   Our starters going into 2024 were either unproven and young (Moore / Wingo / Cook) or transfers who had upside but nothing spectacular (Bond was considered much higher upside than Golden last summer).   This year, we have proven receivers with tons of upside in Wingo, Moore and transfer Mosely plus Livingstone resembles upside we saw from Wingo last season.  Tall, fast, good hands but unproven.  
 

4) TE looks equal if not better than last year because we hit the jackpot out of the portal.   Last season, no one expected Gunnar Helm to have the season he had.   Everyone thought Niblack would be TE1.   I like Endries alot combined with all the young TEs in our stable.  PFF ranks him the #2 best TE in the country returning this season. 

5) Offensive line is the glaring question mark on offense with 4 new starters.   Goosby has shown enough that he should be dominant in 2025.   Campbell appears to be the best version of himself.   Cam Williams became a liability down the stretch last season with his knee injury/.  Our depth at OT this year is better with solid when Brooks needs to step up and fill in.   We’ll likely be shaky for first 6-7 games then hopefully settle and elevate with strong overall OL.   I agree with Gerry that running game should be better in part because of G-C-G play this year.

6) Kicker and Punter were major liability last season.   This year, we’ve upgraded at both positions and should see benefit on field.  Longer field goals add up over time if Sark is comfortable kicking a 57 yarder rather than punting on 3rd and 8 in a tight game. 
 

7) Defensive Line / Run Defense should be stronger this season with portal haul plus Alex January.   Cole Brevard is more proven and stronger than any of the portal DLs last season and we now have a freshman all American at DT in Maraad Watson.   Going into fall last year, we knew DL would drop off after losing Sweat and Murphy but the patched together  DL held their own.   This year, I think DL improves over last season and has much more upside with more athleticism.  Barryn Sorrel is a big loss on stopping run but our additions at DL plus strength and speed at the edge will make up for the loss.
 

8. Defensive Ends / LBs / Pass Defense front 7 should be much improved over last season.   Awesome room of edges and linebackers.  Best in 20 years.  This will be the group that wins us the national championship as opposing teams lose deep ball threat for fear of holding the ball too long and taking loss.  Love that Colin Simmons is pushing to set sack record.   Simmons, Hill, Trey Moore, Burke, Brad Spence, Leona Lefau, Tyanthony Smith plus the young guys in Lance Jackson and Bo Barnes.  Crazy Awesome depth and athleticism.  
 

9. Secondary will potentially take a step back early in season with overhaul in secondary coaches plus loss of Barron and Makuba.  Michael Taafe, Jelani McDonald and Manny Muhamed are key.  Hopefully by midsession, the secondary youth is playing with confidence.   This should be one a team strength by Nov.   One more thought on this group.   No one expected the massive turnaround in the secondary last season the way they showed up all season and became the strength of the defense after getting embarrassed by Washington the prior year.  The secondary this season has more depth and athleticism.   The big critique is youth.   

10. Maybe one of the most important reasons Texas is poised to win it all.   Look at all the other traditional power houses.   With the exception of Penn State and Clemson (and Florida if you want to include them), everyone else lost as much if not more from their teams last season.   Ohio State lost majority of their OL as well plus 1st round WR, starting QB, both starting RBs and entire starting DL.    Oregon, Georgia, Bama, Michigan all had major losses and all are starting new QBs.  There is no clear cut #1 team this season the way Ohio State, Georgia and Oregon all 3 appeared to be stacked last year.   In addition to losing key players, teams like Ohio State also lost their OC, DC and OL coach.   That’s some massive change at key coordinators. 
 

Exciting times going into the 2026 season.   I have a tendency to drink the orange koolaid and fully acknowledge my bias to want to believe every year will improve from prior season.   Easy to see where 2026 should be a big year with so many players expected back but could 2025 be the year we finally break through and win it all again?   20 year anniversary from Vince’s magical run and upset over USC.   I predict two losses during season before going on a run in the playoffs to win it all!! 
 

Curious where others see this Longhorn team.   Better?  Worse?   Too early to say? 
 

Hook em!! 🧡🤘🏼🐂

Edited 6 hours ago by Bevo92

[Bobbers]

The passing game is a push for me.  Arch still has a lot to learn so you can't say he'll be a huge upgrade over Quinn.  Arch also will not have the experienced receivers like Helm and Golden.  He will also miss Blue coming out of the backfield.  His ability to run and avoid sacks as a obvious huge plus though.

I actually think the offensive line has a chance to be better. Texas has four offensive tackles that one day may go in the first or second round.  I worry that Hutson won't be able to make the correct line calls early in the season.  

Losing Barron and Mukuba is huge.  They were so clutch and their production won't be replaced. I think their loss may be made up for by even better edge play though.  I love the idea that Moore will be coming from different angles on 3rd down if he is moved to LB.

The kicking game is so important and will be much better this year.

I agree that overall this team is getting better every year.  Sark is becoming the master of the portal.  I can't wait for this Ohio State game because it's going to tell us so much about this team.

[Bevo92]

1 hour ago, Bobbers said:

The passing game is a push for me.  Arch still has a lot to learn so you can't say he'll be a huge upgrade over Quinn.  Arch also will not have the experienced receivers like Helm and Golden.  He will also miss Blue coming out of the backfield.  His ability to run and avoid sacks as a obvious huge plus though.

I actually think the offensive line has a chance to be better. Texas has four offensive tackles that one day may go in the first or second round.  I worry that Hutson won't be able to make the correct line calls early in the season.  

Losing Barron and Mukuba is huge.  They were so clutch and their production won't be replaced. I think their loss may be made up for by even better edge play though.  I love the idea that Moore will be coming from different angles on 3rd down if he is moved to LB.

The kicking game is so important and will be much better this year.

I agree that overall this team is getting better every year.  Sark is becoming the master of the portal.  I can't wait for this Ohio State game because it's going to tell us so much about this team.

Good stuff @Bobbers!   I completely agree with you on a few points.   Losing Makuba and Barron is huge.   They were two of my favorite players from last season.  Also agree that the loss of Blue as a receiving back will be tough to replace, given his 14 TDs.   Will be interesting to see if Ryan Niblett fills that void or do the short out passes for TDs come from committee (Niblett, Simon, Moseley, etc).

I also agree on concerns with Cole at center early in season.   Would not surprise me if Cole eventually gets passed up by Daniel Cruz, given how close the battle has supposedly been this spring and Cruz has more upside.  Remember when Jake was injured in 2023 OU game…. it was a clear drop off.

I have a very different view on ‘experience’ comparison at TE and WR.   I’ll take the proven experience of Wingo, Moore, Mosely and Endries over the experience we had at TE and WR to start last season.   Remember that Helm was far from experienced going into last season with only 14 catches in 2023 and Golden last spring resembles Mosely this spring based on strengths and prior year stats.   I like this WR room and TE room much better.  

[BurntOrangeCrush]

Nice summary of what you envision for 2025. I disagree on a few items, but I believe we will overall be better than 2024 due to our schedule and how some of our opponents hat their rosters hit hard thru the draft/graduation like we did, namely Ohio State and Georgia.

My thoughts, with an understanding that I certainly don't know more than any other loyal Horn fan and graduate...

I believe we will be better in the red zone because of Arch. Defenses are going to have to account for his running threat which in my mind, will make us much harder to defend when we are in the red zone. What none of us know is how Arch will play under pressure against great teams. Can he read defenses and make progressions? I don't think anyone will question he can make all the throws, but great QB play is also contingent on how fast your mind processes pre and post snap.

I believe we will have one of the best LB groups in the nation. I think our depth at DT will be better, but it remains to be seen if we can match the run defense from 2025. I think our Edge paly will make a jump with our returning guys having more experience. More worried about run defense than I am pressuring the QB. We lost a lot of talent inside.

I believe our RB play will be a net positive getting Baxter back along with Wisner, although losing Blue in the passing game will be a definite loss.

Losing Golden and Helms hurts. I think losing Bond is not a concern, as he was not a game changer IMO. I am generally hoping Sark reloads with WIngo/Moore/Mosely, the Cal TE Transfer, and the young guys fighting for snaps. I think our talent at WR wins out in the end.

I am worried about protection up front, especially early in the year. I realize we are talented on the OL, but they don't have a lot of starts or time playing together as a unit.

And I am worried about the secondary. I just don't think we will be as strong as 2024. Losing Barron and Mukuba will hurt. They had a lot of starts/experience and I think we will have some growing pains with the young guys taking their place. Manny needs to up his game at CB.

I see 10-11 wins and think we would have to be considered one of the top 3 teams on paper going into 2025.

[Bobbers]

I think it's interesting that Sark considers the tight end to be the second most important player on offense.

I think with the emergence of Washington and the addition of Endries (spelling?) tight end might even end up being a strength.  I don't expect Nick Townsend to be a factor as a freshman but he is supposed to be an athletic freak for the position.  He may come on in the second half of the year like Simmons and Hill did their freshman years.

[Bevo92]

18 minutes ago, BurntOrangeCrush said:

Nice summary of what you envision for 2025. I disagree on a few items, but I believe we will overall be better than 2024 due to our schedule and how some of our opponents hat their rosters hit hard thru the draft/graduation like we did, namely Ohio State and Georgia.

My thoughts, with an understanding that I certainly don't know more than any other loyal Horn fan and graduate...

I believe we will be better in the red zone because of Arch. Defenses are going to have to account for his running threat which in my mind, will make us much harder to defend when we are in the red zone. What none of us know is how Arch will play under pressure against great teams. Can he read defenses and make progressions? I don't think anyone will question he can make all the throws, but great QB play is also contingent on how fast your mind processes pre and post snap.

I believe we will have one of the best LB groups in the nation. I think our depth at DT will be better, but it remains to be seen if we can match the run defense from 2025. I think our Edge paly will make a jump with our returning guys having more experience. More worried about run defense than I am pressuring the QB. We lost a lot of talent inside.

I believe our RB play will be a net positive getting Baxter back along with Wisner, although losing Blue in the passing game will be a definite loss.

Losing Golden and Helms hurts. I think losing Bond is not a concern, as he was not a game changer IMO. I am generally hoping Sark reloads with WIngo/Moore/Mosely, the Cal TE Transfer, and the young guys fighting for snaps. I think our talent at WR wins out in the end.

I am worried about protection up front, especially early in the year. I realize we are talented on the OL, but they don't have a lot of starts or time playing together as a unit.

And I am worried about the secondary. I just don't think we will be as strong as 2024. Losing Barron and Mukuba will hurt. They had a lot of starts/experience and I think we will have some growing pains with the young guys taking their place. Manny needs to up his game at CB.

I see 10-11 wins and think we would have to be considered one of the top 3 teams on paper going into 2025.

Good stuff @BurntOrangeCrush.   Appreciate a lot of your thinking.    Agree that a 10-11 win regular season seems right and we should be in the Top 3 to win it all.   

One point I disagree.   I keep hearing concerns about losing Golden and Helm’s experience but I don’t see it quite the same.   Golden was pedestrian through the first 12 games of last season, averaging 47 yards per game.   Starting with the SEC Championship game against Georgia last December, Golden became the clear #1 WR and gained over 400 yards over his final 4 games in Dec/Jan, more than doubling his production over the prior 3 months.   Emmett Moseley is equal to Golden in many respects and his stats are slightly better than what Golden had shown prior to joining Texas last year.  No one thought last spring that Golden would become a 1st round draft pick.   Result of a weak WR draft plus the benefit of Bond being injured.  Very happy for Golden and hate to lose him but I think the overall WR room is much stronger and productivity should improve.

As far as TE, Endries should be an upgrade and brings great experience.   

Agree Arch may struggle early this season but think his upside and diversity makes him a much better QB by Nov over Quinn.    Time will tell.

 

Hook em!! 🧡🐂🤘🏼

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Bevo92

[CJ Vogel]

An underrated aspect of the 2025 team will be the 12 personnel options. Jack Endries, Jordan Washington, Spencer Shannon and perhaps a Nick Townsend. Two physical options and mix and match opportunities for multiple tight ends in the passing game vertically down the field.

[Bevo92]

14 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

An underrated aspect of the 2025 team will be the 12 personnel options. Jack Endries, Jordan Washington, Spencer Shannon and perhaps a Nick Townsend. Two physical options and mix and match opportunities for multiple tight ends in the passing game vertically down the field.

Great point.   TE flexibility and depth appears to be a real strength.   Endries coming in the portal was HUGE!!!!   Assuming our top 3 TEs this season will be Endries, Washington and Spencer, it’s awesome to think about how much the two freshman will contribute over time, especially come 2026.

Edited 4 hours ago by Bevo92