Highlights of the Texas Longhorns’ 2024 football campaign

The 2024 Texas Longhorns football season was one of immense promise, excitement, and significant achievement. Under the leadership of head coach Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns entered the season with high hopes of regaining prominence in college football and proving they were one of the elite programs in the nation. What followed was a thrilling season full of memorable moments, individual brilliance, and team growth, which left fans optimistic about the future.

While not without its challenges, the 2024 campaign marked a significant step forward for Texas football, particularly as the team prepared for an eventual move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The season showcased the growth of emerging stars, the continued development of young talent, and a coaching staff that proved it was capable of competing at the highest level.

Here’s a look back at the highlights that made the Texas Longhorns’ 2024 football season one to remember.

1. Arch Manning’s Debut: A New Era Begins

The most anticipated storyline heading into the 2024 season was the debut of Arch Manning, the highly-touted freshman quarterback who had committed to the Longhorns in 2023. As a member of the legendary Manning family, Arch carried a heavy burden of expectations. The younger Manning, however, did not shy away from the pressure. His first few games showcased his talent, poise, and ability to lead the offense.

In Texas’ opening game of the 2024 season, Manning impressed with a performance that confirmed the hype surrounding his recruitment. He displayed accuracy on deep throws, poise in the pocket, and leadership abilities that had Longhorn fans excited for the future. The Texas offense, led by Manning, ran smoothly throughout the game, and it became clear that the freshman was ready to step into a starting role.

While Manning’s debut didn’t come without growing pains — as many expected — he quickly gained confidence and continued to evolve as a leader under Sarkisian’s system. By the time the Longhorns played their pivotal games later in the season, it was apparent that Manning was going to be the future of the program.

2. Bijan Robinson’s Legacy: Dominating the Run Game

Even with the spotlight on Arch Manning, the Longhorns’ offensive attack still heavily relied on one of the most dynamic running backs in college football, Bijan Robinson. The junior running back had a phenomenal 2024 season, establishing himself as one of the best in the country.

In several key games, Robinson demonstrated his ability to dominate both in the running and passing games. He was an incredibly versatile weapon for Sarkisian, racking up yardage with quick, explosive runs, as well as catching passes out of the backfield. His ability to break tackles and find open lanes made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

In the Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma, Robinson was outstanding, rushing for over 150 yards and two touchdowns in a performance that helped Texas secure a dominant win over their rivals. Robinson’s contributions throughout the season, particularly in key moments, solidified his place as one of the most talented and productive running backs in Texas Longhorns history.

His decision to declare for the NFL draft after the season was inevitable, but his time in Austin left a lasting legacy that will be remembered for years to come.

3. The Development of the Offensive Line

While the Longhorns’ offense had star power in players like Manning and Robinson, much of the success in 2024 came from the trenches. The Texas offensive line took significant strides under the tutelage of offensive line coach Kyle Flood. The unit became one of the most physical and dominant in college football.

Part of the reason for the Texas offense’s success was the O-line’s ability to create running lanes for Robinson while also providing Manning with clean pockets to throw from. The line allowed Manning time to progress through his reads and made room for Robinson to break off explosive runs. This improved offensive line play made Texas more balanced and difficult to stop.

One of the most memorable performances from the offensive line came in the Texas-Texas Tech game, where the unit helped the Longhorns rack up over 200 rushing yards, dominating up front and opening holes that allowed Robinson to go off for multiple big runs.

Additionally, the O-line’s improvement was evident when the team faced tough SEC-caliber defenses like Alabama and LSU. The Longhorns were able to hang with these elite teams thanks to the physicality and cohesion of the offensive line, which set the foundation for both the run and pass game.

4. Defensive Growth and Playmaking from the Front Seven

The Texas defense in 2024 was highlighted by the dominance of the defensive front seven. While the secondary had its fair share of big moments, the Longhorns’ defensive line and linebackers were the true strength of the unit. The group was fast, aggressive, and disruptive in both the passing and running games.

Led by defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, the Texas defense developed a reputation for shutting down opposing offenses. The defensive line, featuring stars like Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat, wreaked havoc on quarterbacks, while the linebacking corps — including Jalen Ford and David Gbenda — played sideline-to-sideline and made plays all over the field. The defensive front allowed just 3.2 yards per carry and consistently pressured quarterbacks into bad throws, forcing turnovers and making life difficult for opposing offenses.

In Texas’ key win against Alabama, the defensive line provided constant pressure on Heisman Trophy candidate Bryce Young, limiting the Alabama offense to just 17 points. This performance was one of the defining moments of the season, as it showed the Longhorns’ defense could compete with the best in the country.

As the season progressed, the defense continued to shine. In a crucial game against Baylor, the Longhorns’ defensive front sacked the opposing quarterback five times and forced two turnovers, leading to a dominant victory that kept Texas in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot.

5. The Special Teams Unit: Game-Changing Plays

While much of the focus during the season was on offense and defense, the special teams unit for Texas was a quiet yet essential contributor to the team’s success. Kicker Bert Auburn, punter Ryan Sanborn, and return specialists like Xavier Worthy played pivotal roles in several key games.

One of the standout performances came from Xavier Worthy, who proved to be a threat on both offense and special teams. In a thrilling game against Kansas State, Worthy returned a punt for a touchdown, flipping the momentum in a tight contest. His ability to make plays in the return game helped Texas win the field position battle and provided the offense with excellent starting points.

Additionally, Bert Auburn’s consistency as a placekicker and Ryan Sanborn’s excellent punting helped the Longhorns stay in control of games by minimizing big returns and providing crucial field goals when needed. Auburn’s clutch kicking helped Texas win several close games during the stretch run, keeping them in the College Football Playoff conversation.

6. Road to the Big 12 Championship

Texas entered the Big 12 Championship Game with a 10-2 record and a chance to add a conference title to their resume. The team had to overcome several tough matchups throughout the season, including victories over Oklahoma, Baylor, and Kansas, but their trip to the title game against Oklahoma State was the culmination of all their hard work.

The Big 12 Championship game featured a dominant performance from Arch Manning as the freshman quarterback threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Bijan Robinson, as he had all season, continued his dominance in the run game, and the Texas defense proved to be too much for Oklahoma State.

The Texas Longhorns won the Big 12 Championship, marking a major milestone for the program and sending them to the College Football Playoff for the first time under Sarkisian.

7. The Longhorns in the College Football Playoff

The 2024 College Football Playoff marked Texas’ return to the national stage. Despite being a relatively young team, the Longhorns entered the playoff with confidence, knowing that they had already proven themselves against the best in college football.

In the semifinals, Texas faced off against the Georgia Bulldogs, a top contender who had dominated most of the season. Although Texas fell short in a hard-fought battle, losing by just 10 points, the team showed tremendous resilience and ability to compete with the elite. The experience gained from playing in the playoff has set the stage for future success, with Manning and the rest of the team gaining invaluable experience.

 A Bright Future Ahead

The 2024 Texas Longhorns football season was an exciting one that provided fans with thrilling moments, growth, and optimism for the future. From the debut of Arch Manning to the outstanding performances from Bijan Robinson, to the development of the defense and special teams, Texas proved they are a program on the rise.

While the Longhorns may have fallen short of their ultimate goal in the College Football Playoff, the season was an undeniable success, and Texas football is poised for even greater success in the years to come. With a solid foundation of young talent, standout players, and a coaching staff committed to excellence, the Longhorns’ future is bright as they continue to build towards competing for national championships.