The Texas offense is expected to dominate preseason headlines—and for good reason. Led by head coach Steve Sarkisian and star quarterback Arch Manning, it’s poised to be a powerhouse. However, the Longhorns’ defense might once again steal the show as the backbone of the team in 2025. In fact, it could not only be the strength of Texas but also emerge as the best defense in the SEC.
Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy highlighted this possibility on his *Always College Football* podcast, noting, “They bring back some really high-level players. Probably the most star-studded defense in the SEC next year… This is a really good defense when it comes to household names. But there’s also a bunch of pieces that they lost. So I think Texas might have the highest ceiling, but there’s also some unknowns.”
Texas boasts returning stars like first-team All-SEC and All-American linebacker Anthony Hill, All-American safety Michael Taaffe, and standout edge rushers Trey Moore and Colin Simmons. Cornerback Malik Muhammad also adds to the defensive firepower. However, as McElroy pointed out, there are still uncertainties heading into spring practice.
The secondary, aside from Taaffe, Muhammad, and Jaylon Guilbeau, has gaps to fill at safety and cornerback. The defensive line also faces challenges after losing three starters and key role players from last season. While transfers Travis Shaw and Cole Brevard provide some reinforcement, Texas will need to rebuild depth upfront.
Despite these question marks, the Longhorns’ defense appears, on paper, to be one of the SEC’s elite units in 2025. With a mix of proven talent and untapped potential, Texas could very well have the highest upside in the conference.
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