The Texas Longhorns received an intriguing mark on USA TODAY’s final 2024 season report card, sparking conversations about the program’s trajectory, progress under head coach Steve Sarkisian, and its potential moving forward—especially with their impending transition to the Southeastern Conference (SEC). While the Longhorns have made significant strides in recent years, the program’s performance in the 2024 season highlights both the progress made and areas still in need of refinement as they prepare for the challenges ahead. Let’s break down what contributed to this “intriguing” mark, how Texas performed in 2024, and what the future holds for the Longhorns in the ever-evolving college football landscape.
The 2024 Texas Longhorns: A Season of Promise and Development
Under Steve Sarkisian’s leadership, Texas entered the 2024 season with high expectations. After a 2023 season that showed significant improvements—especially on the offensive side of the ball—many believed the Longhorns were ready to make a serious run at the College Football Playoff (CFP) and challenge for a Big 12 title. With a talented roster, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns were poised to compete at the highest level.
Throughout the 2024 season, Texas showed flashes of brilliance, particularly offensively. Their high-powered offense, anchored by Ewers and an impressive group of playmakers, had the potential to dismantle any defense they faced. However, inconsistency—particularly in critical games—held the Longhorns back from securing a spot in the CFP and taking the next step as a national contender.
Offensive Growth: Ewers and the Passing Attack
Quinn Ewers, once viewed as a potential Heisman candidate and future NFL star, was at the center of Texas’ offensive growth in 2024. Ewers showed signs of development throughout the season, delivering several standout performances. His ability to make big throws down the field, coupled with his improvement in decision-making and poise under pressure, signaled that he was becoming the quarterback Texas had been hoping for when he transferred from Ohio State.
However, the “intrigue” noted by USA TODAY likely stems from the fact that, despite these flashes of brilliance, Ewers’ performance was at times inconsistent. There were moments when he looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, but also times when he struggled with accuracy and timing, particularly in big moments. This inconsistency, coupled with some missed opportunities in close games, kept Texas from reaching its full potential.
Texas’ wide receiver corps, led by standout playmakers, also contributed to the offensive explosion. Players like Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington provided Ewers with dynamic targets, while the offensive line, though not flawless, was generally solid in pass protection. The Longhorns’ offensive line played a crucial role in giving Ewers time to survey the field and execute Sarkisian’s complex playbook, which blended quick passing and deep shots effectively. In short, the offense had the necessary pieces to succeed, but a few key moments of inconsistency cost the team, which could have been a focal point in USA TODAY’s report card.
Running Back Group and Offensive Line: Strengths and Limitations
While the passing game gained most of the attention in 2024, Texas’ running back room was also a key contributor to their success. Running backs Bijan Robinson (in 2023) and Roschon Johnson were huge parts of the offense in previous years, and while they were gone, there were expectations that their replacements would step up. Keilan Robinson, Jonathan Brooks, and others showed promise, but the running game was not as consistently dominant as it had been in recent seasons.
The offensive line, a group that had been under criticism in previous years for its inability to consistently open holes in the running game, improved somewhat in 2024 but still faced challenges. Though the line was solid in pass protection, the running game was not consistently elite, which may have been a point of focus in USA TODAY’s report card. For Texas to truly contend at the national level, especially in the SEC, they would need to develop more physicality and dominance up front, both in run blocking and in short-yardage situations.
Defensive Development: Impressive, But Still Room to Grow
Defensively, Texas made strides in 2024, especially in the secondary and linebacker corps. The Longhorns showed that they could be a physical, aggressive defense capable of stifling opposing offenses, particularly in the Big 12. Texas’ defensive front, led by key players like edge rusher Ovie Oghoufo, had the ability to generate pressure on the quarterback and disrupt offensive schemes.
However, the defense also showed vulnerability in several games. While Texas boasted one of the better defensive units in the Big 12, it struggled at times against high-powered offenses that could stretch the field and take advantage of any lapses in coverage or communication. There were games where Texas’ defense allowed big plays, particularly in the secondary, and they were often susceptible to teams that could exploit mismatches in both the passing and running game.
Texas’ defense also struggled with consistency in the red zone and in crucial moments of games. While they were capable of putting together solid individual performances, they occasionally failed to come up with the critical stops needed to close out games. As the Longhorns transition to the SEC, these defensive inconsistencies could be even more glaring against a conference full of high-powered offenses and elite athletes.
The defensive coaching staff, led by Pete Kwiatkowski, did an admirable job of improving the unit from where it had been in previous seasons, but there’s still significant room for growth. The Longhorns will need to get more consistent play from their secondary and generate more pressure up front if they want to compete with SEC offenses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. That inconsistency may have been another key factor in the intriguing mark on USA TODAY’s report card.
Special Teams: A Solid but Unnoticed Factor
Another area of Texas’ 2024 season that likely contributed to the “intriguing” label on the report card was the play of special teams. While often overshadowed by the offense and defense, special teams can be the difference between success and failure, especially in close games.
Texas’ special teams unit showed flashes of excellence but also some areas for improvement. Kickoff and punt coverage were generally solid, but inconsistent field goal kicking and the inability to make critical special teams plays in tight games left room for concern. In games where the Longhorns were neck-and-neck with their opponents, special teams failures—such as missed field goals or poor returns—could have swung the outcome in the wrong direction. The inability to win the special teams battle in critical moments was a point that USA TODAY may have highlighted, as it directly impacted the team’s performance in the 2024 season.
The Longhorns’ Ceiling: Can They Reach It?
Despite the areas that need improvement, the Texas Longhorns are undeniably on an upward trajectory. The intriguing mark on USA TODAY’s 2024 report card likely reflects the belief that the team is close to breaking through but still has hurdles to overcome in order to take the next step.
What Needs to Improve for Texas?
- Consistency in Quarterback Play: While Quinn Ewers showed immense promise, his inconsistency in big moments kept Texas from reaching the heights many expected. If Ewers can become more reliable, especially in high-pressure situations, Texas could become one of the most dangerous teams in the country.
- Defensive Consistency: Texas’ defense needs to step up in key moments. They can’t afford to allow big plays or let offenses dictate the game in critical moments. Developing more consistency, particularly in the secondary, will be crucial as they prepare to move into the SEC.
- Physicality in the Trenches: The offensive and defensive lines need to be more dominant. Texas has the talent, but they need to be more physical, especially as they move into the SEC, where the line of scrimmage battle will be more intense.
- Special Teams Reliability: To truly compete for championships, Texas needs to address the inconsistencies in their special teams play. Even small mistakes on special teams can derail a season, especially in close, high-stakes games.
Looking Ahead: The SEC Transition
The most intriguing aspect of Texas’ 2024 season is the looming transition to the SEC. The Longhorns will face a new level of competition, with the conference’s best programs like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. If Texas hopes to compete at the top of the SEC, they will need to take the lessons from 2024 and use them to improve in 2025 and beyond.
The Longhorns’ recruiting has been strong, and their talent level is improving, but they’ll need to be more consistent and physical in all aspects of their game. If they can develop the necessary depth and discipline, Texas has the potential to compete with the best teams in the nation.