College Football
Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Arch Manning has not even played his first full season as the Texas starter and the talk has already shifted to his future.
Will he be a one-year starter who takes off for the NFL in 2026, or will he do what Peyton and Eli did and stick around for four full years before making the leap?
It is not an easy question, but it is one that shows just how unique Arch’s situation is.
The NFL is obviously interested. Everywhere you look you see him ranked as the number one or number two overall prospect for 2026 and the top quarterback on the board.
People who study the game see the arm strength, the mobility, and the calm presence that stood out when he stepped in last year.
His limited stats still popped off the page. Eight touchdowns, only two picks, and more than 800 yards on just 72 passes.
In today’s game, where guys like Caleb Williams and Bryce Young left school after two years of starting, Arch could very easily go early too.
But there is a catch. Arch has barely played. He has fewer than 250 career snaps, which is the same as about three and a half games. Even if he starts every game this season, that still leaves him with only 18 career starts.
When you look at the current NFL, almost every starting quarterback had 25 or more starts in college. That experience matters when you are running the most important position on the field.
This is where family history comes in. Peyton went back to Tennessee for his senior year even though he was already projected as the first pick. Eli stayed at Ole Miss when he could have gone out early.
Both of them believed in being patient, in developing more before cashing in. Arch has shown the same kind of mindset. He stayed at Texas behind Quinn Ewers instead of transferring. That tells me he is not in a rush.
Money also does not change the equation like it used to. In the past, leaving early meant you secured your first big contract sooner. Today, staying in school can be just as profitable thanks to NIL.
Arch is already tied in with brands like Red Bull, Panini, Uber, and EA Sports. His family is more than secure financially and being the quarterback at Texas brings seven figures in NIL deals anyway.
There is also the idea of legacy. Texas is ranked number one to start the season and they believe they can win a national championship.
If they fall short, does Arch decide he wants one more crack at it in 2026? It is possible. He has talked about how much he loves Austin, his teammates, and the program. That could make it easier to stay.
NFL scouts are excited but also cautious. They know he looks the part, but they want to see how he handles the road trips against teams like Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia this year.
They want to know if he can stay calm when the spotlight is brightest. Until then, he is still more potential than proven.
The Mannings have always played the long game. Eli held out on draft day because the Chargers were not the right fit. Peyton turned down the NFL as a junior even though he was a lock to go first overall.
Arch may make his decision based more on where he might land in 2026 than when he could be drafted. If the right team has the top pick, maybe he goes. If not, sticking at Texas makes sense.
If you ask me, Arch should wait. Give it another year, get more starts, build up confidence, and maybe bring Texas a national title.
He does not need the money and he does not need to race his uncles to the NFL. What he needs is to be fully ready when he gets there.
And if history tells us anything, patience has worked out pretty well for the Manning family.
Panthers on The Prowl
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia State hired Dell McGee as their head coach in February of 2024. He got a late start on recruiting and the Panthers went 3-9 last season.
McGee coached at University of Georgia from 2016-23 as the running backs coach and assistant head coach.
The Panthers added many new faces in 2025. They signed 34 high school signees and walk-ons and 43 transfers via the portal.
“We feel like those 77 new additions have supplemented our program,” McGee said at the Sun Belt’s Preseason Media Days event in New Orleans. “But ultimately, the direction of our program is going to be spearheaded by the 45 guys who return.”
This is his first real recruiting class he has signed. “I really can’t compare (to where we were last year), but I can say the 77 additions, we’ve created competition in every single room, and we feel like the competition will push the needle from a standpoint of accountability and competitiveness,” McGee said.
Some of the top incoming transfer players are CB Tyler Scott (Auburn), RB Jordon Simmons (Ole Miss), RB Rashad Amos (Memphis), RB Branson Robinson (Georgia), S Jordan Huff (East Carolina), IOL Deandre Duffus (Maryland), CB Isiah Dunson (Baylor), CB Bernard Causey III (LSU), OT Obadiah Obasuyi (NC State), QB Cameran Brown (Texas Tech), WR Javon Robinson (Georgia), WR Leo Blackburn (Georgia Tech) and LB Zavier Carter (UCF).
As you can see, they have added several players from Power 4 programs. The problem with building a team with transfers is maintaining the program’s culture. You also have to worry about not having a cohesive team if things get rough. A great example of this would be last year’s Florida State team that went 2-10.
Four of GSU’s losses in 2024 were by a touchdown or less, so they were competitive. They have been picked to finish last in the East Division in the preseason poll conducted by the coaches.
The Panthers have two players selected to the Sun Belt’s preseason all-conference team; wide receiver Ted Hurst (first team) and defensive lineman Henry Bryant (second team). Hurst is a senior from Savannah and he transferred in from Valdosta State. He led the team with 56 receptions for 961 yards and a school-record nine touchdowns.
Bryant is a redshirt senior from Delray Beach, Florida. He transferred in from Louisville in 2023. Last year he played in all 12 games and had 30 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 FF and 1 FR.
“Holding our team accountable is really one of the tiers that our players must uphold,” McGee said. “With the leadership of our 45 returning guys, they understand how we practice. They understand what it takes in the off-season, in the weight room and in summer conditioning. They’ve done a great job pushing that agenda forward.”
Georgia State will start the season August 30th at #21 Ole Miss. They play Memphis and Murray State after that. Memphis was 11-2 last season and Murray State is an FCS team that only won one game last year.
Week 4 is a trip to Vanderbilt. GSU beat Vandy 36-32 last season so I expect them to be looking for revenge.
They start conference play October 4th against James Madison. They were picked to finish first in the East Division and Georgia Southern was picked second
The games after that are Appalachian State, @ Georgia Southern, South Alabama, @ Coastal Carolina, Marshall, @ Troy and @ Old Dominion.
I don’t expect the Panthers to win six games but they should improve on the three wins from last season.
Ramming Into New Era
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The offseason has been eventful all across the country, but nowhere as much as in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Back in December, the Tar Heels made the announcement that shocked the college football world in hiring one of the best coaches in not just football but all of sports in Bill Belichick.
After 24 years and six Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots, Belichick fires up a new challenge as he enters year one as any kind of college coach.
Carolina finished the 2024 season falling under .500 with a loss to UConn in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl game to bring the season mark to 6-7.
Belichick has been upfront with the way he plans on hitting college football head on. He plans to bring the NFL mindset and preparation into the college game.
One of the first pieces of that model was announced almost synonymously (if not before) Belichick was officially announced.
The first move for the former Pat’s coach was bringing in NFL front office veteran Michael Lombardi as the General Manager for the Tar Heels. Lombardi brings over 30 years of NFL experience between scouting, personnel, and serving as the Browns GM in 2013.
With Belichick and Lombardi in place, the next thing that the former “pro-model masters” was to tackle the college version of free agency.
The Tar Heels brought in the second most players in the transfer portal with 41 newcomers coming in from the portal only behind West Virginia and Purdue who brought in 54 via transfers.
The first position that had to be addressed right off the bat was at quarterback. After Drake Maye was drafted by the Patriots (coincidentally), it was a struggle for the Heels in 2024 with the signal caller.
UNC started three different quarterbacks last season and never had anyone take the bulls by the horns. This year Carolina looks to be set with Gio Lopez transferring in late from South Alabama after an impressive couple of years for the Jags in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Tar Heels have bolstered the offensive line and linebacking core in the offseason to be two of the best position groups in the ACC, but some questions really remain around some unproven talent in the skill positions.
One of the biggest losses in all of college football was what UNC lost with Omarion Hampton who was both the leading rusher and third leading receiver a year ago before now competing for the LA Chargers.
North Carolina also lost their top two pass catchers from a year ago in J.J. Jones and John Copenhaver who are no longer in the locker room.
All of the skill position replacements (at least on the offensive side) seem to be coming from within the program or Aziah Johnson who transferred in from Michigan State (albeit only hauling in 276 yards a year ago).
This North Carolina program has been one of the most talked about programs in the country, there’s no question.
To me the unprecedented transition for an NFL Head Coach to move into the college world for the first time that Bill Belichick is taking is one of the most fascinating stories in recent history of the sport.
Among those that are even remotely close to the program, I think the consensus is that Belichick will build something impressive in Chapel Hill, the question just becomes “How long will it take?”.
I don’t know if it’s realistic to think they will compete for the ACC crown and the College Football Playoff in year one, but a winning season and massive step toward that ultimate goal of the CFP is well within grasp of the Tar Heels in 2025.
Rebuilding The Armor
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 season forecasts a pivotal chapter for the UCF Knights, as former head coach Scott Frost returns to Orlando aiming to reignite the magic from his undefeated 2017 campaign.
Armed with a five-year contract through 2029, Frost brings hope and history to a program that stumbled to a disappointing 4–8 finish in 2024.
Frost’s reappointment rekindles optimism among fans and players alike. His previous tenure at UCF produced a 13-0 record, and despite struggles at Nebraska, his return carries the potential of that golden era.
He fortified his staff with trusted confidants like McKenzie Milton as quarterbacks coach and associate head coach Sean Beckton, who now oversees the receiver corps.
The ground game remains the heart of UCF’s offensive identity.
In 2024, RJ Harvey rushed for 1,577 yards, ranking sixth in the FBS, before declaring for the NFL. The torch now passes to Myles Montgomery, a steady transfer from Cincinnati with a history of contribution, and Jaden Nixon from Western Michigan.
Although neither may replicate Harvey’s dominance, their physicality and versatility offer hope for improvement.
The offensive line will be key. New O-line coach Shawn Clark, known for molding NFL linemen, arrives with only one player, Paul Rubelt, as a returning starter. Building cohesion early will be vital for protecting quarterbacks and halfbacks.
UCF’s aerial attack averaged under 200 passing yards per game in 2024, a low point in recent memory. To improve, Frost needs production from a revamped receiving corps—Marcus Burke, DJ Black, and Duane Thomas Jr.—who are touted as fast and intriguing targets.
At quarterback, the competition includes transfers Tayven Jackson (Indiana), Cam Fancher (Marshall/FAU), and returner Jacurri Brown. Tayven Jackson brings starting experience and high efficiency.
On defense, turnover creation was scarce in 2024—only 11 in 12 games, ranking near the bottom nationally.
Frost has hired Brandon Harris to revitalize the secondary, blending experience with speedy, hungry returnees like the Henderson twins and Braeden Marshall, along with an impressive slate of transfers.
The linebacker corps has reason for optimism, led by Keli Lawson (Virginia Tech transfer), Jayden McDonald, and TJ Bullard, supported by newcomers Lewis Carter and others.
The D-tackles, represent continuity and grit—forged by veteran staffer Kenny Martin and bolstered by experienced returnees like John Walker. Newcomers like Horace Lockett and R.J. Jackson will be great additions.
Externally, expectations are modest. RJ Young’s “Ultimate 136” ranks UCF 74th nationally, down from 54th last year, projecting a win total slightly over 5.5. PFF gives a similar outlook, projecting around 6.3 wins for the season.
Meanwhile, the Big 12 preseason media polls (via aggregated outlets) place UCF between 15th–16th in the conference.
UCF opens at home against Jacksonville State (Aug 28), then hosts North Carolina A&T before a challenging test at North Carolina (Sept 20) and at Kansas State (Sept 27).
A strong start could build momentum, while losses would underscore the rebuild ahead.
2025 is a season of reset and cautious hope for the Knights. Frost’s return brings familiarity and a blueprint for success, but roster turnover and inexperience at key positions pose real challenges.
If the offensive line gels, the running backs provide consistency, the quarterbacks mature, and the defense creates turnovers, UCF could surprise.
A 5–7 or 6–6 record, flirting with bowl eligibility, seems like a fair forecast—and a solid step toward reintroducing the Knights’ winning identity.
Above The Radar
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The buzz around South Carolina football is as loud as it’s been in a long time.
After rattling off six straight wins to close the 2024 season, finishing 9-3, and just missing out on a playoff spot, the Gamecocks have folks thinking this could be the year they break through.
Shane Beamer is heading into his fifth season in Columbia, and his message to the team has been simple: take it a step further.
Beamer’s already done plenty to get the program trending up. His 29 wins in four seasons are more than any South Carolina coach has ever managed in that span, even Steve Spurrier. He’s also notched seven wins over ranked teams, three of them against top-10 opponents.
In today’s college football world of transfer portals, NIL deals, and constant roster changes, Beamer has kept things steady with a team-first culture.
Even with 39 letterwinners moving on, the staff is mostly intact, and the roster has been bolstered through both high school recruiting and the transfer portal.
The biggest reason for optimism? Quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
The redshirt sophomore turned heads last year after overcoming a rocky start. He threw for more than 2,500 yards and 18 touchdowns, ran for nearly 700 more, and finished the season looking like one of the SEC’s most dangerous dual threats.
Sellers is already popping up on Heisman watch lists, and if he takes another step, he could be the star that makes everything click.
The challenge is what’s around him. The Gamecocks lost Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, their top rusher, and tight end Josh Simon, who led the team in receiving.
Utah State transfer Rahsul Faison and returnee Oscar Adaway III are expected to handle much of the running game, but Sellers’ legs will be leaned on again.
At receiver, South Carolina has young talent waiting for a breakout. Nyck Harbor has the athleticism to be special, and freshman Donovan Murph could make noise right away.
Tight end Michael Smith is also back, giving Sellers a go-to target across the middle.
Defense is a bit more of a question mark.
Last year’s unit was nasty, finishing near the top of the SEC in sacks and interceptions.
But five key players are gone, including Nagurski Trophy winner Kyle Kennard and both starting linebackers. That leaves a lot of pressure on young guys to grow up quickly.
Edge rusher Dylan Stewart is the headliner after a huge freshman year, and Jalon Kilgore is a playmaker in the secondary.
The linebackers don’t have much experience, but defensive coordinator Clayton White has more overall depth to work with than in years past.
Special teams, normally a South Carolina strength under Beamer, will look a lot different.
All-American punter Kai Kroeger is gone, along with the starting kicker, holder, and snapper. Punter Mason Love is expected to hold things down, but other spots may take a few games to sort out.
As always, the schedule is a grind. Things start with a showcase game in Atlanta against Virginia Tech, followed by the home opener against South Carolina State.
Then comes a stretch with Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Kentucky—games the Gamecocks need to take care of before October arrives.
That’s when things get brutal: at LSU, then home games against Oklahoma and Alabama in back-to-back weeks.
November isn’t much easier with trips to Ole Miss and Texas A&M before closing with Coastal Carolina and the annual Palmetto State showdown against Clemson.
The formula for a playoff push is clear. If South Carolina can start 6-2 or better, they’ll have a shot to control their own destiny down the stretch.
Sellers gives them the kind of quarterback who can carry a team, Stewart is a budding star on defense, and Beamer has proven he knows how to get his players believing.
The question is whether this group can grow up fast enough in the right spots to survive the SEC grind.
One thing’s for sure the season. The Gamecocks won’t be flying under the radar in 2025.
Hootie-Who
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Kennesaw State went 2-10 last season. It was their first year as an FBS/Division 1A team. They play in Conference USA.
Head coach Brian Bohannon held that position from the inception of the program in 2013. The Owls began playing in 2015. He stepped down as the head coach November 10, 2024 after starting the season 1-8. His overall record is 72-38.
Jerry Mack was hired as the new head coach December 1, 2024. He was the head coach at North Carolina Central Univ. from 2014 to 2017 and his record was 31-15.
He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Rice from 2018-20. He went to University of Tennessee as the running backs coach from 2021-23. He went to the Jacksonville Jaguars in February 2024 as the running backs coach.
He spoke at the Conference USA media day event and he said signing local talent is his priority.
“What we decided to do here at Kennesaw is basically draw about a four-hour radius and try to stay more regional than anything else from the standpoint of recruiting,” Mack said. “But with the transfer portal, we’re always going to venture out and try to take the best student-athletes to fit our style of play.”
The current roster features nine players from Cobb County or Cherokee County, 25 others from metro Atlanta and 21 more from the rest of Georgia.
An example of this is redshirt senior wide receiver Christian Moss. He was a three-star recruit from North Cobb High School and he committed to Virginia Tech. He transferred to KSU in 2024.
The Owls used to run the triple option under Bohannon. Mack plans to run a spread offense.
“It’s no secret that my background has always been more of a spread, no-huddle style of tempo,” said Mack. “I want to continue to try to incorporate those things and try to do those things here at Kennesaw. The plays are the plays, but the plays aren’t as good as the players, and as we continue to get better players, they’ll get a chance to grow and develop their craft.”
Senior QB Dexter Williams II was named the starting quarterback in the spring. Williams grew up in Macon and graduated from Mount de Sales, where he threw for 1,524 yards and 15 touchdowns and ran for 984 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior when he was named Middle Georgia Player of the Year by the Macon Telegraph.
He played at Indiana from 2020-23 but missed 2021 because of a season-ending ACL injury that occurred in the spring. He transferred to Georgia Southern in 2024 and played in five games.
The Owls added 16 transfer players in 2025. Some of the standouts are S Isiah Thomas (Miami), IOL Brandon Best (Georgia Tech), DL Donovan Westmoreland (South Carolina), CB Alexander Ford (Western Kentucky) and RB Coleman Bennett (Rice).
The season begins August 29th at Wake Forest. The next week is at #20 Indiana.
They play two more non-conference games after that against Merrimack and Arkansas State. Both of these are home games.
After Week 4 KSU will face Conference USA opponents. They will play Middle Tennessee, Louisiana Tech, at FIU, UTEP, at New Mexico State, at Jacksonville State, Missouri State and at Liberty.
Kennesaw State should be better in 2025 but that might not equal a winning season.
Back To The Top?
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
War damn Eagle! After a disappointing 2024 season the Auburn Tigers are looking to take a step back up to the first tier in the SEC.
The slide over the last few years has been directly correlated to an overall lack of talent and depth for the Tigers.
The Bryan Harsin debacle was just that. Two straight 7-loss seasons got him a pink slip and the real issue was Hugh Freeze stepped into a mess.
If you look at the two seasons under Freeze you still see 7 losses in 2023 and 2024. Not any better? The difference is that Freeze is rebuilding the program.
Most pundits think this is the year that the Tigers step back up. Freeze has done a great job recruiting with two top ten classes and some stellar portal additions. The Tigers will be dangerous this year.
That all starts with transfer Jackson Arnold at Quarterback. The former Oklahoma QB is a killer dual threat, ask Alabama.
In the 2024 Oklahoma Alabama game, Arnold rushed for 131 yards and was 9 of 11 throwing it. The result was a 24-3 thumping of the Tide.
Receivers for Auburn will be a strength. Cam Coleman, Malcom Simmons are All-SEC caliber players. Add in portal addition Eric Singleton Jr and this group ranks as one of the best in the country. There is depth and talent here.
Back at tight end is Brandon Frazier after missing much of 2024 with an injury.
The running backs are solid though not spectacular. Look for Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb to tote the load. Jarquez Hunter will be missed.
The line should be solid with Dillon Wade, Connor Lew, and Jeremiah Wright all back. Add in Xavier Chaplin and Mason Murphy via the portal and you have 5 returning starters.
The bottom line is that this should be a much better offense. If Jackson Arnold brings it, then the Tigers should be very good. This will also help the defense who played steady last year.
The Auburn defense was solid in 2024. Can they do the same in 2025?
They have one guy who says YES. That’s Keldrick Faulk. The Jr. defensive end is a Bonafide All American.
At 6’6” and 270 lbs he looks the part and plays the part. He has NFL written all over him. Throw in Malik Blocton and Bobby Jamison-Travis and the Tigers will be solid on the defensive line.
Auburn does have to replace talent at the linebackers. Demarcus Riddick was an ALL-SEC freshman last year and will be joined by Caleb Wheatland and Champ Anthony who is returning from an injury.
If this group steps up then the Tigers may be able to keep opponents at that 21.3 points per game on defense that they surrendered last year. That was good for 28th in the country. We’ll see.
All the Defensive Backs return. Kayin Lee, Jay Crawford, Kaleb Harris, and Sylvester Smith are solid and this should be a team strength. Add in Champ Anthony back from an injury at Nickel Back and this is one of the better groups in the league.
Back for the Special Teams is Alex McPherson. McPherson was one of the best around before a severe illness sidelined him for much of the 2024 campaign. His return brings stability back.
In 2023 he was 13 for 13 on FG’s and 40 for 40 on PAT’s.
Hudson Kaak takes over the punting chores and Jeremiah Cobb is slated to kick return although one of the talented wideouts could make a move here.
The schedule is grueling. Welcome to the SEC.
A season opener against Baylor on the road will be telling. Then throw in road trips to Oklahoma and Texas A&M before the end of September. Ouch.
Add in Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt and there is no rest for the weary. Ohhhh, and Auburn hosts Alabama at Jordan-Hare for the Iron Bowl. A game that Auburn has not won in 5 years.
The bottom line is that this should be Hugh Freeze’s best team. There are quality players throughout the roster.
Freeze has recruited well and worked the portal hard. Now let’s see if the Tigers can start winning again.
Tide To Roll?
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Entering last year, the questions for the Alabama Crimson Tide revolved around all of the “new” in T-Town.
This time a year ago, the Tide were preparing to embark on the first season under Head Coach Kalen DeBoer after Coach Nick Saban retired following the 2023 season.
Although a relatively successful 2024 season that saw a 9-4 record and just missing the first 12 team College Football Playoff, entering 2025, there’s a similar feeling of trying to feel out the “new. New quarterback, new offensive coordinator, new year for Alabama.
The biggest news coming out of Tuscaloosa in the offseason was a quick change, after one year, for Kalen DeBoer at offensive coordinator.
When DeBoer took over for Bama in 2024, he hired Nick Sheridan who had previously been an OC at Indiana before spending two years with DeBoer at Washington as a tight ends coach.
While the offense in 2024 had flashes with Jalen Milroe at quarterback, there seemed to be something missing or off all season. That led to the change at coordinator to a familiar name that has been associated with Kalen DeBoer.
Ryan Grubb leads the Tide offensive unit in 2025. Grubb spent two magical years with DeBoer at Washington as his offensive coordinator as Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze helped lead the Huskies to a national championship game appearance.
Although Grubb takes over the title and play-calling duties, DeBoer made it a point to keep Sheridan on staff as a co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
The group that Sheridan will be leading this year in the quarterback room is going through a lot of “new” too.
With Jalen Milroe now battling for a job with the Seattle Seahawks, one of the biggest question marks has been who takes the snaps for the Tide in 2025.
Many expected throughout the off-season that Ty Simpson would turn into QB1 and Coach DeBoer announced that Ty Simpson would indeed be the starting quarterback for Alabama to start the year.
Simpson is a familiar name for the “Roll Tide-ers” after joining the program in 2022 but has only seen 16 career games since then.
Simpson has only recorded 50 pass attempts with only real meaningful snaps coming in the 2023 matchup against South Florida where he helped lead Bama to a victory in game 2 of the year when Milroe got benched for one game by Nick Saban.
While Simpson isn’t the elusive playmaker that Milroe has been the past few years for Bama, many believe he doesn’t have to be.
Between Ryan Williams, who you may have heard a time or two was only 17 years old last year as a freshman phenom, along with a couple of transfers to the receiving corps, Simpson seemingly only needs to have a firm grasp on the offense and a good distributor to get the ball in the hands of playmakers.
The season doesn’t start slowly for the new pieces for Alabama as the Tide opens the season with a road trip to Tallahassee to take on Florida State.
While the Seminoles had an abysmal season in 2024 (2-10 record and only one ACC win against Cal), Mike Norvell is expected to lead a much-improved team into Doak Campbell Stadium against the Crimson Tide.
So, while there’s a lot of new inside the gates of Bryant-Denny Stadium, the offense has an astounding number of great leaders on staff and weapons on the field for the “new” to turn into household names quickly in T-Town.
Hook Em Horns
By: Jeff Doke
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Texas Longhorns enter the 2025 college football season with sky-high expectations, poised to contend for both the SEC Championship and a national title.
Coming off back-to-back College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal appearances and a 13-3 record in 2024, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s fifth season at the helm has the program buzzing with anticipation.
With a talented roster, a favorable SEC schedule, and a new quarterback in Arch Manning, the Longhorns are projected as the preseason No. 1 team in the AP Poll, a testament to their reloaded roster and championship aspirations.
The biggest storyline for 2025 is the ascension of redshirt sophomore Arch Manning to QB1, succeeding Quinn Ewers, drafted this spring by the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
Manning, a former five-star recruit with a storied football lineage, showed flashes of brilliance in 2024, completing 61 of 90 passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions across 10 games, including starts against Louisiana Monroe and Mississippi State.
His dual-threat ability—evidenced by 108 rushing yards and four scores—draws comparisons to Texas legend Vince Young.
Coach Sarkisian praises Manning’s work ethic, noting his dedication in the film room and weight room as key to his development. However, with only two starts under his belt, Manning’s ability to handle the pressure of a grueling schedule will be critical.
Behind him, the quarterback depth includes transfer Matthew Caldwell, redshirt freshman Trey Owens, and 4-star freshman KJ Lacey, providing insurance should injuries arise.
Despite losing 12 players to the 2025 NFL Draft, including four of five offensive linemen and key defensive starters, Texas has reloaded with the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class and impactful transfers.
The offensive line, a major question mark, will rely on senior center Cole Hutson to anchor a rebuilt unit. The departure of left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., a top-10 NFL Draft pick, leaves big shoes to fill, but Sarkisian remains optimistic about the group’s potential.
At running back, Quintrevion Wisner (1,064 yards in 2024) and CJ Baxter, returning from a torn ACL, form a dynamic duo.
Sophomore wide receiver Ryan Wingo is expected to emerge as Manning’s primary target after a strong freshman campaign.
Defensively, junior linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (113 tackles, 8.0 sacks in 2024) and senior safety Michael Taaffe (78 tackles, 10 pass breakups) anchor a unit that ranked third nationally in yards allowed (284.3 per game) last season.
Transfers like defensive tackles Travis Shaw and Cole Brevard, along with sophomore edge rusher Colin Simmons, bolster a reloaded defensive line.
Texas faces one of the toughest schedules in college football, starting with a blockbuster road game against defending national champion Ohio State on August 30.
A rematch of the 2024 CFP semifinal, where Texas fell 28-14, this game will test Manning’s readiness against an elite Buckeye defense.
Other key matchups include a trip to Georgia on October 18, a revenge game after two losses to the Bulldogs in 2024, and the renewed Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M on November 28.
The Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma in Dallas on October 11 adds further intensity. However, Texas avoids Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss, giving them a favorable SEC slate.
Vegas has them at a 9.5 win total, with likely wins against San Jose State, UTEP, Sam Houston, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt, and 50/50 games against Florida, Kentucky, and Arkansas. Splitting the Ohio State and Georgia games could position Texas for an 11-1 record and a return to the CFP.
To reach their national title goal, Texas must address 2024’s shortcomings: nine penalties and two turnovers against Ohio State, red zone struggles (scoring under 80%), and too many tackles for loss allowed by the offensive line.
Cleaning up these “little things” will be crucial, as will the development of young talent under pressure. With Manning’s potential, a stout defense, and Sarkisian’s proven leadership, the Longhorns have the pieces to go all the way. Expect Texas to compete for the SEC title and make a deep CFP run, potentially bringing a championship back to Austin for the first time since 2005.
Texas is poised for a 10-2 or 11-1 season, likely dropping one of the Ohio State or Georgia games but dominating their remaining slate. With a favorable SEC draw and elite talent, the Longhorns are set to return to the CFP, with a strong chance to compete for the national championship.
Rubber To The Road
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Texas A&M has the money, facilities, recruiting base, and fan support to be a national power.
Now it is time to match the resources with results. For all its advantages, the program has just one double digit win season since 1998, and while Mike Elko’s first year brought progress, it also showed how far the Aggies still have to go to reach their ceiling.
Elko, entering his second season, steadied the ship with an 8-5 campaign in 2024, the program’s best in three years, but November defensive breakdowns and a frustrating bowl collapse against USC left a bitter aftertaste.
A&M even had a shot to play for the SEC title before an anemic offensive showing against Texas spoiled the chance.
The good news is that the roster is loaded, the schedule is manageable with no Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, or Ole Miss, and Elko has made key portal additions to fill important holes.
With Collin Klein coordinating the offense and Elko taking back defensive play calling, the Aggies believe they are positioned to break out of the eight-win rut.
Quarterback Marcel Reed, who emerged as a dual threat leader last year, is back after throwing for 1,864 yards, rushing for 543, and keeping turnovers in check. He is now the unquestioned starter.
Reed has great weapons at his disposal. The Aggies hit the transfer portal hard at receiver, landing KC Concepcion from NC State, one of the top wideouts in the country with 124 catches, nearly 1,300 yards, and 16 touchdowns in his first two seasons, and Mario Craver from Mississippi State, a dangerous deep threat.
These additions help form a versatile, speed driven group. At tight end, Texas transfer Amari Niblack and junior Theo Melin Ohrstrom will share duties.
The offensive line could be one of the SEC’s best. All five starters return, led by All SEC caliber tackle Trey Zuhn III, guard Chase Bisontis, and 330 pound mauler Ar’maj Reed Adams. Center Mark Nabou Jr., who missed most of last year with a torn ACL, should reclaim his starting role if healthy.
In the backfield, the Aggies expect the return of star running back Le’Veon Moss, who had 765 yards and 10 touchdowns in just eight games before injury.
Last year’s offense quietly led the SEC in scoring in conference play at 29.4 points per game. With Reed’s growth, the added speed at receiver, and a healthy backfield, that number could climb in 2025.
If A&M is going to jump from good to great, defensive improvement is essential. The Aggies gave up 44 points to South Carolina, 43 to Auburn, and 35 to USC late last year, with missed tackles and busted coverages becoming a recurring problem.
Up front, replacing departed pass rushers Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton is priority one.
Cashius Howell, who led the team with four sacks, returns, with Florida transfer TJ Searcy and Rutgers transfer Damon Hayes vying for big roles.
The interior is anchored by veteran Albert Regis, alongside Tyler Onyedim from Iowa State and promising sophomore DJ Hicks.
The linebackers are a strength. Taurean York led the team with 82 tackles, while Scooby Williams is a rangy, physical presence when healthy.
The secondary, hit by injuries last year, should rebound.
All-SEC corner Will Lee III is back, and nickelback Tyreek Chappell returns after missing most of 2024.
Transfers Julian Humphrey from Georgia and Jordan Shaw from Washington bolster coverage options.
Safeties Dalton Brooks and Bryce Anderson bring experience, though the unit must cut down on giving up explosive runs and deep completions.
Texas A&M has averaged eight wins per year since joining the SEC, and that has become the defining plateau.
With an established quarterback, one of the league’s best offensive lines, upgraded speed at the skill positions, and Elko’s renewed hands on role with the defense, the 2025 Aggies have the look of a team ready to break through.
The path is there. The question is whether A&M finally takes it.
