Texas Star Not Named Arch Manning Tabbed 'Sleeper' for 2025 Heisman Trophy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Jun 8, 2025 5:44 PM ET

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is expected to lead his team under center in 2025.

However, he was not the topic of discussion over the weekend. College football analyst Michael Bratton named a 2025 Heisman "sleeper" for every SEC team, excluding quarterbacks.

When it came to the Longhorns, Bratton picked running back Tre Wisner. Texas' last Heisman winner was running back Ricky Williams in 1998.

Wisner made a name for himself last season after Texas suffered a key injury at running back. CJ Baxter suffered a torn LCL and PCL before the 2024 season started, leaving the running back room in need of help.

Wisner stepped in and led the Longhorns with 1,064 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

The Longhorns' running back flew under the radar as a prospect, with the On3 Industry Rankings rating him as a three-star recruit. Wisner was the No. 30 running back recruit in the 2023 class.

Wisner helped lead a Texas team that reached the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns eventually reached the semifinal of the first 12-team playoff.

The running back room in Austin now features plenty of depth with both Wisner and Baxter returning in 2025.

Texas has been in the spotlight recently for reasons other than Wisner. Fans got to see how head coach Steve Sarkisian will look in the upcoming video game, EA Sports College Football 26.

The game will feature the likenesses of head coaches for the first time since 2013. EA Sports College Football 26 releases on July 10.

The Longhorns made some recruiting news on May 29 when Minkah Fitzpatrick's brother, Justice, named Texas a finalist.

Texas faces the Ohio State Buckeyes in its 2025 season opener on August 30.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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