The Texas Longhorns Are On the Verge Of a Dynasty
The Texas Longhorns are back. This was a playoff team last year and a legitimate national title contender, but I think that Steve Sarkisian can turn the Longhorns into a dynasty, and I am not using hyperbole, I truthfully believe this.
Recruiting
Before we get to the product on the field, let's discuss the Longhorns' recruiting since Steve Sarkisian took over in 2021. Texas has always been a recruiting powerhouse, due to the in-state talent and the team's history as a blueblood of college football. In 2021 Sark took over and landed the 15th-best class in the country. The following cycle after a full season at the helm in Austin, Texas landed the 5th best class in the country. In 2023 and 2024, the Longhorns had the 3rd and 5th best classes. All this talent has allowed the Longhorns to have the product we’ve seen on the field in the past couple of years.
Offensively
Kyle Flood came to Texas with Sark as his OC in 2021. Flood’s background is as an offensive line coach and that has been the key to the offensive success of the Longhorns. They are dominant at the LOS creating running lanes for their talented backs and protecting their 5-star QB in Quinn Ewers. They’ve also done a great job in the portal getting offensive weapons, like Adoni Mitchell in the 2023 cycle and Isiah Bond in 2024. But it's not only the product currently that sets up the Longhorns for long-term success, it's the fact that they have 5-star Arch Manning sitting behind Ewers, all but guaranteeing that the QB position is set after this season. We saw this offense slice and dice the defending champs in the big house on Saturday with Ewers having maybe the best game of his career. If this offensive success continues I think Texas has a real shot at a title this season and for seasons to come.
Defensively
Sark led some of the best Alabama defenses for the last decade and now he has continued that success at Texas. This has been the biggest key to allowing Texas to compete in the SEC. Texas has been known for their offensive success in the Big 12, but since Sark took over we see the defense being just as dominant. The defensive line has been unreal. Much like the offensive side of the ball Texas dominates the LOS. They create penetration and disrupt their opponent's running game, as well as pressure the QB at a high rate. On the backend, they have success as well and have the athletes to run with some of the most talented WRs in CFB.
All and all the biggest indicator to winning in college football is how good you are in the trenches, and on both sides of the ball I don’t know if there’s another team in the country that is as good as Texas in this category. You combine that with the Longhorns QB play and skill position talent, and this team is going to win a lot. I think the SEC is going to a battle between former Saban disciples in Kirby Smart and Sark for years to come, and I expect Texas to win some National Championships in the near future. This team is all the way back, and every single college football fan should have the Texas-Georgia game on October 19th circled.
