TEXAS LONGHORNS

12-2 Lost in CFP semifinals

Texas returns most of its offensive line and Quarterback Quinn Ewers. I think Ewers has the talent to be the #1 overall pick in the draft. He needs to continue to show improvement, and they have plenty of depth with Arch Manning waiting in the wings. They lose their top two rushers and top-four receivers. Despite the losses, I expect them to have one of the best running back groups and receiving corps this season. With Baxter suffering an injury and Brooks in the NFL, Texas will lean on speedster Jaydon Blue and top incoming freshman Jerrick Gibson. They are not short on talent bringing in transfers like Silas Bolden, Isaiah Bond, and Matthew Golden. Bond is a future 1st round DC and Bolden and Golden have produced at a high level for their former teams. Amari Niblack is an athletic tight end that can stretch the field. The offensive line returns 4 of their 5 starters and has more depth this year. This could be one of their best offensive lines in years, and it is led by future 1st Rd DC choice left tackle Kelvin Banks. 

The biggest hurdle will be replacing two of the best defensive tackles in the country, Byron Murphy and T’vondre Sweat. Alfred Collins returns, and he finally lived up to his five-star potential. They brought several transfers in Jermayne Lole, Arizona’s Bill Norton, and Tiaoalii Savea. While last year's interior defensive line will be tough to replace, they have more pass rushers. Trey Moore is one of our favorite draft-eligible players and Anthony Hill was a freshman all-American. He will move to inside linebacker taking over for Jaylan Ford. They brought in the #1 DL recruit Colin Simmons. They also bring back Ethan Burke and our 2023 pre-season pick to win Big 12 defensive player of the year in Barryn Sorrell. Expect the secondary to be even better, as they return senior NB Jahdae Barron, sophomore CB Malik Muhammed, and sophomore safety Derek Williams. Both Williams and Muhammed played big roles as freshmen. Andrew Mukuba was one of the big portal additions. He was a three-year starter and all-conference performer at Clemson. They also brought in San Jose State corner Jay’vion Cole, a 2nd team all-mountain west performer.  

 Steve Sarkisian has improved the win total every year since he arrived in Texas. This will be their first year in the SEC. The games we have our eyes on are Michigan early in the season, Georgia at home, Red River showdown (Oklahoma), and Texas A&M on the road for the season finale. I give Texas a slight nod over Ole Miss, Missouri, and Alabama to finish 2nd behind Georgia in the SEC.