College football will be here before you know it, so we're breaking down every team in the SEC for the 2024 season. We last looked at Tennessee, and now we give our preview for the SEC's other "UT" (don't ask me who's the real one), the Texas Longhorns.
Texas finally had the breakthrough season they'd been desperate for in 2023. Can they have an encore in 2024 while joining the SEC?
Examining the Texas Longhorns' offense
Texas had one of the most talented offenses in the country last season, and that remains true in '24. Quinn Ewers chose to return at QB, giving the Longhorns one of the top players at the position. And while he's been somewhat injury-prone, Texas has a little-known backup named Arch Manning who could fill in nicely should Ewers go down.
Despite the loss of Jonathan Brooks, the RB room remains loaded with the duo of CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue. And they'll have an elite OL paving the way for them, anchored by LT Kelvin Banks. Texas has a completely new group of receivers, losing multiple big-time players. But transfers Isaiah Bond and Johntay Cook should keep this a high-level group.
Examining the Texas Longhorns' defense
No team had a more dominant pair of interior DL than Texas in '23 between T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy. Those two were game-wreckers that made life easier for everyone else on defense. They're gone now, but this unit shouldn't fall off much.
Both starting EDGEs return, and UTSA-transfer Trey Moore brings another good pass-rusher into the fold. Alfred Collins will step-up at DT, and three other P5 transfers bolster the interior. The LB duo of Anthony Hill and David Gbenda will be one of the nation's best. Several starters are gone in the secondary, but talent isn't an issue. Nickel Jahdae Barron is a stud, Clemson-transfer FS Andrew Mukuba was a huge addition, and young CB Malik Muhammad is ready to be a star.
Thoughts on the Texas Longhorns entering 2024
Yes, Texas is back. At least, they were in 2023, winning the Big 12 and finishing one play away from reaching the national championship game. Steve Sarkisian finally has the program operating like it should. But does that change with them entering the SEC?
It shouldn't. The roster is still loaded with SEC-caliber players. And that includes along the lines of scrimmage, where most will tell you Big 12 teams can't stack up. The schedule sets up for another playoff season too. The Longhorns get to host Georgia while avoiding the every other legitimate SEC contender. Texas should have few issues acclimating to the league this fall.