Where Professionals Are Rank Texas Football’s Rankings for 2025 Are Far Too Early

Where Professionals Rank Texas Football for 2025: Why Rankings Are Far Too Early

As we move deeper into the 2024 college football season, professional analysts, media outlets, and fans are beginning to look ahead to the 2025 season, and with it, the inevitable preseason rankings that come every year. Texas football, historically one of the most storied programs in college football history, has seen a resurgence under Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns are again a team to watch as they head into the 2025 season, but ranking them at this stage is still an exercise in speculation.

The 2025 preseason rankings are far too early to be definitive, as they are based on a combination of factors including past performance, returning talent, incoming recruits, and the unpredictable nature of college football. Texas is in an interesting position, with many seeing them as a program on the rise after a strong 2024 season, but there are still several questions that need to be answered. This article will explore why these early rankings are far too premature to be meaningful and why Texas football’s 2025 outlook remains a bit of a mystery.

Texas Football’s Resurgence Under Steve Sarkisian: The Promise of 2024

Before we dive into the potential pitfalls of ranking Texas too early, it’s important to acknowledge the impressive strides made by Steve Sarkisian and his coaching staff in recent years. Under his leadership, Texas football has rebounded from a period of instability to being on the cusp of national contention. The 2024 season was a major step forward for Texas, culminating in an 11-2 record, a Big 12 Championship appearance, and a New Year’s Six bowl berth.

The Longhorns’ offense, with quarterback Quinn Ewers at the helm, became one of the most dangerous in the Big 12, featuring explosive playmakers like Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, and a well-balanced running back committee. The defense also improved significantly under Pete Kwiatkowski, with players like Jaylan Ford and Jerrin Thompson leading the charge. These advancements were critical in positioning Texas as a potential powerhouse moving forward.

However, despite the success in 2024, Texas is still far from being a sure thing in 2025. While Sarkisian’s offense is expected to continue its upward trajectory, there are still concerns about Texas’ ability to sustain this level of success, especially as the team transitions into the new challenges of SEC competition in 2025.

Factors That Make Ranking Texas in 2025 So Difficult

When it comes to ranking teams for the upcoming season, particularly this early, there are several factors that make it extremely difficult to pin down where a team like Texas might land. Here are some of the key reasons why 2025 rankings are far too premature:

1. Player Departures and NFL Draft Decisions

One of the most obvious issues when predicting a team’s standing is the potential for player departures to the NFL Draft. Several key players from the 2024 season, including Quinn Ewers and Xavier Worthy, could leave for the NFL, which would drastically impact the team’s chances in 2025. While Texas is an attractive destination for recruits and the program has built up depth, losing top-tier talent could derail their hopes of having another successful season.

As of now, Ewers has not made an official announcement about whether he will declare for the NFL Draft or return for another season. If he leaves, the Longhorns would have to turn to another quarterback to lead them, which would bring about growing pains, regardless of who steps in. It is the same story for Worthy, who is one of the top wide receivers in college football. These types of departures can leave significant holes in a roster that is still very much a work in progress.

2. Recruiting and Incoming Freshmen

Another element that makes 2025 rankings so difficult to predict is the uncertainty surrounding recruiting classes and the development of incoming freshmen. While Texas has built a solid foundation through the 2024 recruiting class and continued success on the recruiting trail, these newcomers are still unproven at the college level.

Texas is known for being one of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the country, but talent doesn’t always translate immediately to success. Freshmen often require time to acclimate to college football, and there are no guarantees that the incoming players will make an immediate impact. While players like Arch Manning—a 5-star quarterback—are expected to be stars in the making, there is still the question of whether they can translate their high school success into college dominance. Additionally, key transfers are often hit-or-miss, and while Texas has picked up some solid transfers, it remains unclear how these new faces will perform in big games.

3. The Transition to the SEC

Perhaps the most significant reason why preseason rankings for Texas football are premature is the upcoming transition to the SEC in 2025. While Texas has been successful in the Big 12, the SEC is a whole new ballgame. The level of competition in the SEC is unmatched, with teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU consistently among the best in the country. The physicality, depth, and overall talent level of the SEC will present new challenges for Texas that are difficult to predict.

It remains to be seen how the Longhorns will adjust to the grind of an SEC schedule. Even with a talented roster, Texas will have to prove that it can compete with the elite programs in the SEC. While many expect Texas to eventually find success in the conference, the adjustment period could take time, and it is likely that there will be some growing pains as the team transitions.

4. Coaching Adjustments and New Strategies

While Steve Sarkisian has had success at Texas, it’s important to remember that the SEC will present a new set of challenges, and Sarkisian’s coaching will be tested in ways that it hasn’t been in the Big 12. SEC defenses are often more physical and disciplined than those Texas has faced in the past, and Sarkisian will need to adjust his offensive schemes to account for this new reality. Additionally, while Texas showed improvement on defense in 2024, they’ll face much stiffer competition in the SEC, and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski will need to fine-tune his schemes to keep up with the high-powered offenses in the conference.

Coaching staffs need time to adapt to the nuances of a new conference, and while Sarkisian has proven himself as a capable coach, how he adjusts to the rigors of SEC competition will play a big role in Texas’ success in 2025.

The Reality of Early Rankings

Given the many uncertainties surrounding Texas’ roster, their upcoming move to the SEC, and the challenges they will face in 2025, any early ranking for Texas in the preseason is far too speculative. Preseason rankings are typically based on a mixture of past performance, returning players, and early recruiting success, but they don’t account for the myriad variables that can affect a season.

While Texas will undoubtedly be in the national spotlight heading into 2025, projecting them to be a top-5 team or even a College Football Playoff contender at this point in the process is premature. Texas fans should remain hopeful but realistic about what lies ahead, and they should acknowledge that there are still a lot of moving parts as we move closer to the 2025 season.

The Road Ahead for Texas Football

Despite the challenges that await Texas in the SEC, there is reason to be excited about the future of Texas football. Steve Sarkisian has laid the groundwork for success, and with a talented roster, a stable coaching staff, and a clear plan for development, Texas is undoubtedly positioned to be a contender for years to come. However, whether they can reach the peak of college football in 2025 remains to be seen.

The Longhorns should focus on continued development, consistency, and improvement rather than the rankings. By taking it one step at a time, they can build a team capable of thriving in the SEC and positioning themselves as a true national contender.