Greg McElroy reiterates Texas' biggest strength in 2025 will make Arch Manning's job so much easier

With the 2025 regular season inching closer, camp battles, roster turnover, and developing stars are becoming more of the conversation than anything off the field. Teams are set, and the internal growth that happens will determine which program raises the championship trophy in seven months.

The Texas Longhorns are hoping to make a stronger bid than their deep run in 2024-25. Quarterback Arch Manning draws all of the attention for obvious reasons, but Steve Sarkisian's defense might again be the more special unit.

On3's Greg McElroy recently ranked the top defenses in the country entering 2025, with Texas taking the top spot.

While much of the offseason talk has centered around new QB1 Arch Manning, McElroy is even higher on the Longhorns’ star-powered defense. That includes LB Anthony Hill, who led Texas with 113 tackles last season as a sophomore, and elite EDGEs Trey Moore and Colin Simmons, who combined for 14.5 sacks in 2024. McElroy also liked the transfer DL additions in Travis Shaw (UNC) and Cole Brevard (Purdue) to replace some key losses up front.

“If you look at what they have, it’s honestly off the charts from a star-power standpoint. … I don’t think there’s a team in the country that has a higher ceiling than Texas with the amount of guys that can take over a game. … (Anthony Hill) is a complete superstar, I think he’s the best linebacker in the country. … (Colin Simmons) is ridiculous, I’m not sure there’s a more feared pass rusher in the SEC.”

The Longhorns will need their stars firing on all cylinders early as they open the season at Ohio State in a College Football Playoff rematch.

Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. led the team with 113 tackles and 17 tackles for loss, plus added eight sacks. He's projected to be the best off-ball linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft and a top 15 pick.

Simmons is in a similar position despite being only a sophomore. After producing 48 tackles and nine sacks as a true freshman, Simmons is arguably the most or second-most impressive defensive underclassmen who isn't draft-eligible. 

Taaffe almost declared for the NFL draft this past year, but the team's second-leading tackler and pass disruptor returned. Versatile and reliable, Taaffe totaled 78 tackles, two sacks, two picks, and 10 pass breakups.

If this defense as good as everyone expects, then the Longhorns will make life easier for Manning, Sarkisian, and the entire offense. Getting advantageous field positions off turnovers, limiting time of possession by opposing offenses, and short fields are the key to winning a National Championship.

Replacing the lost interceptions and big plays created from Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba to the NFL would significantly limit what most college football teams could accomplish the following year. Texas is hoping to buck that trend, and are expected to.