Three Texas Longhorn Freshmen With Potential for Breakout Season in 2025

AUSTIN – With head coach Steve Sarkisian and the staff bringing in 36 new players over the offseason by means of high school recruits and the transfer portal, the University of Texas is in a great position for a successful season.

What will help determine the success of the season is how all the newcomers will perform, whether it’s in a significant role early on or behind the scenes on the bench and in practice.

Although many of them will have to deal with the latter, three freshmen stand out amongst the rest, holding great potential for an upcoming breakout season.

Kaliq Lockett, WR

In an era where freshman receivers with the likes of Ohio State’s Jermiah Smith or Alabama’s Ryan Williams are put in the spotlight, Lockett could easily be placed in a similar position.

Lockett was the fourth-best prospect in Texas’s No. 1 recruiting class and one of the five 5-star prospects that decided to commit to the Longhorns.

Out of Sachse High School in Texas, Lockett committed to the Longhorns in August over LSU, Alabama, Florida State, and Texas A&M.

His frame at 6-feet-2 and 175 pounds allows him the ability to be physical enough to succeed in one-on-one situations, yet also separate from defensive backs and catch the ball in space.

Fans can think of Lockett as the immediate replacement for wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who was a projected first or second-round draft pick before personal issues off the field led to him going undrafted. He could also be who Johntay Cook was expected to be.

With Matthew Golden getting drafted in the first round and Bond now gone, Lockett will be placed in a receiver room in need of a playmaker, and Lockett could be that guy.

After a quarterback change for his senior year led to decreased production, the talent was still visible just by watching. However, in his junior year, he managed to bring in 59 receptions, 1,299 yards, and 13 touchdowns, averaging 22 yards per reception.

Justus Terry, DL

With the defensive line now lacking some experience with Vernon Broughton getting drafted in the second round, like the receiver room, the defensive line is in need of production.

Sarkisian did manage to acquire Ohio State transfer Hero Kanu; however, he never managed to see much game time, leaving question marks around his production ability even as a junior.

That is where Justus Terry enters the conversation. Terry is a 6-foot-5 275 pound defensive lineman out of Georgia who ranked as the No. 13 player in the nation overall.

Out of Manchester, Georgia, he chose the out-of-state Longhorns over the In-state Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama, and Auburn on the final day of the early signing period in December.

His multi-sport history allows for his versatility as an athlete, getting snaps at offensive line and the tight end positions in high school, and even playing basketball as well.

Due to injury, his senior season was limited, but he still managed to record 10 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two pass breakups, and a sack in one game.

However, like Lockett, he had an outstanding junior year where he showed true upside potential. As a junior, Terry recorded 78 tackles, six and a half for a loss, 13 sacks, two pass breakups, and even forced two fumbles while helping lead his team to its first state title appearance in 26 years.

Lance Jackson, EDGE

With Trey Moore and Collin Simmons as the starting edge rushers for Texas, the position is in good hands, but there will also have to be some rotation in who gets all the snaps.

As Jackson enters as the No. 2 edge rusher in the 2025 class, he will be the added piece behind Simmons and Moore, getting to prove himself whenever he gets the chance.

Even if his opportunities are limited, Jackson will have the opportunity to shine and give Longhorns fans a preview of what he’ll offer as a starter in the future.

Jackson’s brother, Lance, played at Arkansas, where he was a team captain and a standout player for the Razorbacks. Now, Landon has the opportunity to do the same thing at Texas that his brother did after he chose to commit to the Longhorns over Arkansas and Tennessee.

As a senior, Jackson recorded 63 tackles, 28.5 for a loss, nine sacks, and forced a fumble while also playing some snaps at tight end as well.

Also playing baseball, his ability off the line is extensive. He shows explosiveness off the line and the ability to get in the backfield quickly. His athleticism also allows for great pursuit capabilities.