Texas football: three attainable objectives for the Longhorns and Arch Manning in the 2025 season
Texas Football: Three Attainable Objectives for the Longhorns and Arch Manning in the 2025 Season
The Texas Longhorns football program has been on a steady climb toward returning to prominence in college football in recent years. With head coach Steve Sarkisian at the helm, the team has shown signs of growth, but it is clear that the Longhorns are still on the hunt for sustained success. A key player in their future is none other than Arch Manning, the highly touted quarterback who has committed to Texas as part of the 2023 recruiting class. With the 2025 season fast approaching, the expectations surrounding both the program and Manning are high. While the road to becoming a College Football Playoff contender may be long, there are several achievable objectives that Texas should focus on for the upcoming season, particularly in relation to their young quarterback, Arch Manning.
In this article, we will explore three attainable goals that Texas football should aim for in the 2025 season: securing a Big 12 championship, developing Arch Manning into a proven leader, and improving consistency in key areas such as offensive line play and defensive performance. Achieving these objectives would not only set the foundation for a bright future but would also prove that the program is on the right track toward becoming a national contender.
1. Securing a Big 12 Championship
While the Longhorns have been competitive in the Big 12 Conference in recent years, they have yet to secure a conference championship since 2009. With the landscape of college football shifting and Texas preparing for its move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the near future, a Big 12 title in 2025 would serve as both a significant accomplishment and a final hurrah before the program transitions to a new conference.
For this to happen, Texas will need to take care of several key areas, including both offense and defense. While the Longhorns have had a competitive roster in recent years, they’ve often found themselves faltering in key moments, especially in high-stakes games against top conference rivals. In 2025, however, this could be the year that Texas finally breaks through.
The Role of Arch Manning in the Big 12 Chase
A major component of this goal will be the development of Arch Manning as the leader of the team. With Manning’s high-profile recruitment, expectations will be sky-high for him to deliver in his first year as the starting quarterback. His talent is undeniable, and his pedigree, coming from the Manning family, has already set him apart. But for the Longhorns to win the Big 12, Manning will need to perform at a high level and avoid the typical growing pains of a young quarterback.
His development will be pivotal in Texas’s pursuit of a conference title. A successful Manning is a difference-maker in big games, especially against conference rivals like Oklahoma, Baylor, and TCU. Texas will need to rely on his arm strength, his ability to read defenses, and his poise in the pocket to excel in these critical matchups.
A Big 12 championship may seem like a high bar to clear, but with a well-balanced roster and the right development from their freshman quarterback, the Longhorns have the potential to contend. Achieving this goal would be a huge step toward restoring Texas to its former glory and would provide a strong foundation heading into their SEC future.
2. Developing Arch Manning into a Proven Leader
Arch Manning’s arrival at Texas has created a massive amount of buzz, and with good reason. He is not just another talented quarterback—he’s a generational talent whose last name carries a long legacy of NFL greatness. Manning comes from a family where both his uncles (Peyton and Eli Manning) and his grandfather (Archie Manning) made major marks on the football world. It’s safe to say that the pressure will be intense for him, especially as he steps into a pivotal role at Texas.
However, while Manning may have the physical tools to succeed, his development as a leader will be just as important as his performance on the field. For Texas to reach its full potential in 2025, Manning will need to embrace his role as the leader of the offense. This means being a vocal presence in the locker room, earning the trust of his teammates, and remaining calm under pressure in high-stakes situations.
Off-the-Field Leadership
A key area where Manning can begin to separate himself as a leader is off the field. Leadership isn’t only about making plays on game days, it’s about establishing trust and consistency with teammates in practice and through everyday interactions. Manning’s ability to connect with his offensive line, wide receivers, and running backs will be crucial in building chemistry and trust within the team.
A quarterback is often the focal point of a team’s locker room, and Manning will need to take charge both vocally and through his work ethic. He’ll need to lead by example, working relentlessly to study film, learn new systems, and improve his game. If Manning can take this leadership role seriously from day one, he will undoubtedly earn the respect of his teammates, which is essential for the success of the entire program.
On-the-Field Maturation
On the field, Arch Manning’s development as a quarterback will also be a major priority. While he may have all the physical tools—arm strength, mobility, accuracy, and football IQ—he must develop the mental toughness and consistency that all great quarterbacks possess. His ability to handle adversity, bounce back from mistakes, and control the tempo of games will define his legacy as a Longhorn.
In addition to improving his decision-making and poise in the pocket, Manning will need to develop rapport with his wide receivers and tight ends, many of whom will likely be younger players with less experience. If Manning can quickly learn how to read defenses, deliver precise passes, and manage the flow of the game, the Longhorns will be in a strong position to succeed in the 2025 season.
3. Improving Consistency in Offensive and Defensive Play
While the development of Arch Manning will naturally take center stage in the 2025 season, Texas cannot afford to ignore the other areas of the team. For the Longhorns to compete at the highest level, they must show consistency across the board, particularly on the offensive line and on defense. These units will play a significant role in ensuring that the team remains competitive in every game.
Offensive Line Play
The offensive line has been an area of concern for Texas in recent years, with the team struggling to consistently protect the quarterback and establish a strong running game. In the 2025 season, improving the offensive line will be crucial not only for Arch Manning’s development but for the overall success of the offense.
Texas will need to find ways to protect Manning from pressure, both through improved pass-blocking techniques and by utilizing quick throws and offensive schemes that play to Manning’s strengths. If the offensive line can give Manning the time he needs to read the defense and make smart decisions, the Longhorns will have a much better chance at success.
Additionally, a solid offensive line is essential for establishing a reliable ground game, which will take pressure off Manning and create more balanced offensive play. If the Longhorns can improve in these areas, they will be a much more dangerous team offensively.
Defensive Improvement
While Texas has made strides on the defensive side of the ball, they still need to improve in key areas such as pass rush, tackling, and defensive depth. In the competitive Big 12, where high-scoring offenses are the norm, Texas will need to show that their defense can step up and make critical stops when needed. Whether it’s forcing turnovers, generating pressure on the quarterback, or improving coverage in the secondary, the defense will need to be more consistent to complement Manning and the offense.
With new defensive recruits, along with veteran players returning, Texas has the potential to make significant strides on defense in 2025. If they can improve in key areas and maintain consistency throughout the season, this unit could elevate the Longhorns to a new level.
