Josh Pate of CBS Sports says the Texas Longhorns have the fourth-best football program in the country.

In the world of college football, rankings, opinions, and assessments about which programs are best can often feel like an endless cycle of debates and hot takes. Among the myriad analysts, pundits, and experts, one that carries significant weight is Josh Pate, a respected voice in the world of college football media. As the host of the “Late Kick with Josh Pate” podcast and an analyst for CBS Sports, Pate has built a reputation for offering honest, insightful, and data-backed opinions about college football’s top teams and programs.

Recently, Pate shared his thoughts on the Texas Longhorns, declaring them the fourth-best football program in the country. This bold statement immediately sparked conversation and, for many, raised questions: Is Texas really in the upper echelon of college football, and if so, what has led to their rise? For decades, Texas has carried the weight of immense historical success, but has struggled in recent years to reclaim its former dominance. So, why is Josh Pate confident that the Longhorns are one of the top programs in the nation, and what does it mean for their future under head coach Steve Sarkisian?

This article will take a deep dive into Pate’s assertion, examining the factors that have contributed to the Longhorns’ rise in recent years and analyzing how the program has positioned itself to be a true contender in college football. From recruiting to coaching changes, to the upcoming transition to the SEC, we’ll break down why Texas is deserving of such high praise and what’s next for one of college football’s most storied programs.

Texas Longhorns Football: A Legacy of Success

Before delving into Pate’s ranking, it’s essential to first look at the Texas Longhorns’ history and their standing in college football lore. As one of the most storied programs in the sport, Texas has a long list of accomplishments to its name. With four national championships, including one in 2005 led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Vince Young, and 32 conference championships, Texas has historically been a dominant force in college football.

The Longhorns’ legendary status was built on a rich tradition of football success. With players like Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, and Vince Young, Texas has produced numerous NFL stars over the years. The program has also consistently attracted top talent, making it one of the most recognizable and powerful football schools in the country.

However, despite its legendary history, Texas has found itself in a challenging position over the past decade. After a long stretch of dominance in the early 2000s, the program began to falter, with a lack of consistent leadership at the head coach position. After the departure of Mack Brown, the Longhorns struggled to find the right coach to lead the team back to prominence. Multiple coaching changes, including the hiring of Charlie Strong and Tom Herman, resulted in underperformance, and Texas failed to return to the College Football Playoff, a position the program once inhabited regularly.

As a result, Texas fell out of the national spotlight, and the SEC’s emergence as the preeminent college football conference further complicated the Longhorns’ path to success. However, the hiring of Steve Sarkisian in 2021 marked the beginning of a new era for the program. Sarkisian, a former offensive coordinator with a proven track record of success, was tasked with rebuilding the program and returning Texas to its rightful place as one of college football’s elite teams.

Steve Sarkisian’s Role in Texas’ Resurgence

When Steve Sarkisian was hired as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns in January 2021, he inherited a program at a crossroads. The Longhorns had the potential to return to prominence, but they needed stability, strong leadership, and a clear vision for success. Sarkisian, who had previously shown his offensive acumen as the head coach at Washington and USC, was seen as the perfect candidate to lead the Longhorns back to glory.

In his first season at Texas, Sarkisian faced a steep learning curve. There were inevitable growing pains, and the Longhorns experienced a mixed bag of results, finishing 5-7 and failing to qualify for a bowl game. Despite the underwhelming first season, there were signs of promise. The offense, led by quarterback Hudson Card and running back Bijan Robinson, showed flashes of brilliance, and Sarkisian’s approach to recruiting and player development began to take shape.

In 2022, the Longhorns showed significant improvement, finishing the season with an 8-4 record. The team’s defense, which had been a point of concern in previous years, showed marked improvement under defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. The offense, led by Robinson, was one of the most dynamic in the country, and the team appeared poised to make a jump in the coming seasons.

One of the most significant aspects of Sarkisian’s approach has been his ability to recruit top talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The Longhorns have consistently landed highly rated recruits, including several top-tier quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive players. Sarkisian has been particularly adept at building relationships with high school coaches and players in Texas, which has led to a steady influx of talent into the program.

Looking forward, Sarkisian’s ability to develop young talent and build a sustainable, competitive program is crucial for Texas’ continued success. With a strong recruiting base, a talented coaching staff, and a clear vision, the Longhorns are primed to compete with the best programs in the country.

Recruiting: The Foundation of Texas’ Success

One of the major reasons why Josh Pate has ranked Texas as the fourth-best program in college football is the program’s recruiting success under Sarkisian. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college football program, and Texas has always had an advantage when it comes to attracting top talent. The state of Texas consistently produces some of the best high school football players in the country, and Texas is often the first destination for in-state recruits.

Sarkisian has made it clear that he intends to capitalize on this advantage. In his first two years as head coach, Sarkisian and his staff have landed a number of highly regarded recruits, including several five-star players. The Longhorns have also made a concerted effort to expand their recruiting footprint, landing players from other states and even out of the country.

The 2023 recruiting class, for example, featured several top-tier players, including quarterback Arch Manning, who committed to Texas after much speculation. Manning, one of the most highly coveted quarterbacks in recent memory, represents the program’s commitment to securing elite talent and competing with the best. In addition to Manning, the Longhorns have continued to land players across multiple positions, solidifying their position among the top recruiting programs in the country.

Recruiting success is not just about landing five-star players; it’s about building a balanced roster and developing talent over time. Sarkisian’s ability to recruit both high-end talent and underrated prospects has allowed Texas to build depth at key positions, making the team more competitive and prepared for the challenges ahead, especially with the upcoming move to the SEC.

Transitioning to the SEC: Texas’ Path to National Championship Contention

One of the most significant developments in college football in recent years has been Texas’ decision to join the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Longhorns, along with Oklahoma, announced in 2021 that they would leave the Big 12 for the SEC in 2025. This move has enormous implications for the future of Texas football, as the SEC is widely regarded as the toughest and most competitive conference in the country.

While the move to the SEC presents a new set of challenges, it also represents a huge opportunity for Texas. The SEC has produced more national championships in the past two decades than any other conference, and its teams routinely dominate recruiting rankings and national polls. For Texas to return to national championship contention, they will need to compete at the highest level within the SEC.

Sarkisian has expressed confidence in Texas’ ability to succeed in the SEC, noting that the program’s resources, recruiting base, and coaching staff make it well-equipped to handle the rigors of the conference. The Longhorns will face stiff competition from programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M, but Sarkisian believes that Texas is ready to compete at that level.

With the added challenge of facing SEC teams week in and week out, Texas will need to continue to improve in all areas—especially on defense and in the trenches. However, the Longhorns’ ability to recruit elite talent and their commitment to building a championship-caliber program under Sarkisian’s leadership put them in an excellent position to make an immediate impact in the SEC.

Texas’ Future Under Sarkisian

When Josh Pate of CBS Sports ranks Texas as the fourth-best football program in the country, he is recognizing the strides the Longhorns have made under Steve Sarkisian’s leadership. Despite the challenges of rebuilding a program, Sarkisian has put Texas on a path to success, with strong recruiting, player development, and a commitment to competing at the highest level.

With the 2025 SEC transition on the horizon, Texas is well-positioned to become one of the elite teams in college football once again. Sarkisian’s vision, combined with the program’s rich history, makes Texas a formidable force in the sport. The Longhorns’ rise is far from complete, but they are undoubtedly on the path to becoming national championship contenders in the near future. For Josh Pate to place Texas among the top programs in the country is a sign that the Longhorns are once again on the map and will be a force to reckon with in the years to come.