When Steve Sarkisian arrived in Austin in 2021, Texas Longhorns fans were desperate for a resurgence. After years of underwhelming performances and coaching turnover, the once-proud program needed more than just hype—it needed results. Now, entering his fifth season, Sarkisian believes he finally has the perfect blend of talent, experience, and culture to make 2025 a truly special year for Texas football.
In an exclusive media session during spring practice, Sarkisian didn’t mince words: “We’ve built something real. The foundation is strong, and this team has what it takes to be great. Not just good—great.”
A Program Rebuilt From the Ground Up
It’s been a long road back to relevance for the Longhorns. The early growing pains of Sarkisian’s tenure—an uneven 5–7 debut season and a wave of transfers—gave way to steady improvement. In 2022, the Longhorns posted a respectable 8–5 record. In 2023, they went 11–2 and captured the Big 12 Championship, followed by a trip to the College Football Playoff in 2024, finishing as national semifinalists.
The trajectory is unmistakable, and Sarkisian credits the turnaround to consistency, recruiting, and player development.
“We never panicked,” he said. “We knew it would take time to install our culture and find guys who were all in. Now, we’ve got that. These players trust each other. They trust the process. And they expect to win every time they step on the field.”
Culture Comes First
One of the most significant shifts under Sarkisian has been the emphasis on culture over quick fixes. In an era when the transfer portal can remake a roster overnight, Sark has focused on balancing portal pickups with high school recruiting.
“It’s not just about adding talent. It’s about adding the right talent,” he explained. “We’ve brought in transfers who were culture fits, not just stat-sheet guys. At the same time, we’ve developed our freshmen so that when it’s their turn, they’re ready.”
Veterans like quarterback Quinn Ewers and linebacker Jaylan Ford have been instrumental in enforcing that culture. Their leadership on and off the field has created an environment of accountability.
“We hold each other to a high standard,” said Ford, who returned for a final year with the goal of winning a national title. “There’s no room for laziness or excuses anymore. This is Texas. You either rise to the standard, or you don’t play.”
Quinn Ewers: The Final Chapter
Perhaps no player is more symbolic of Texas’ transformation than quarterback Quinn Ewers. Once a highly touted recruit who reclassified and briefly attended Ohio State, Ewers returned to his home state and grew up fast under Sarkisian’s tutelage.
After two seasons of learning the system and refining his mechanics, Ewers enters his final season as a polished, confident leader. He’s projected as a top-10 NFL Draft pick, but his focus remains on delivering Texas its first national title since 2005.
“I came back to win,” Ewers said bluntly. “We’ve been close, but close isn’t good enough anymore. This year, it’s about finishing.”
Sarkisian has praised Ewers’ evolution, calling him “a true student of the game” and “one of the smartest quarterbacks I’ve ever coached.” With a deep receiver corps, an experienced offensive line, and a revamped running game, Ewers is set up for his most productive season yet.
Explosive Offense, Elite Defense
What separates the 2025 Longhorns from past versions is balance. While Sarkisian is known for his offensive genius—dating back to his days with Alabama and USC—the 2025 team features a defense that’s just as dominant.
Texas returns eight starters on defense, including a front seven that’s among the best in the nation. Led by Ford and edge rusher Ethan Burke, the Longhorns wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage and excel in run-stopping and pass rushing.
On the back end, safety Jerrin Thompson and cornerback Malik Muhammad anchor a secondary that allowed just 198 passing yards per game in 2024. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, once criticized during his early tenure, now oversees a unit brimming with confidence and discipline.
“We’ve got guys who fly to the football and love contact,” said Kwiatkowski. “That’s how you build a great defense. It’s not just talent—it’s desire and trust.”
Offensive Firepower
Of course, Sarkisian’s offense remains a headline grabber. Ewers is surrounded by a potent group of playmakers, including wideouts Isaiah Bond (transfer from Alabama), Johntay Cook II, and Xavier Worthy’s successor, freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith.
At running back, the duo of CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue offers versatility and explosiveness. The offensive line, anchored by All-American Kelvin Banks Jr., gives Ewers ample protection and the run game room to thrive.
“This offense can beat you in a lot of ways,” said Sarkisian. “We can go vertical, pound it inside, or stretch you laterally. The best part is, these guys are unselfish. They just want to win.”
New SEC Era, Same Confidence
Texas’ move to the Southeastern Conference in 2024 was long anticipated, and the Longhorns proved they belonged right away. They defeated Florida and LSU during the regular season and pushed Georgia to the brink in the playoff semifinal.
The 2025 schedule doesn’t get any easier. Texas opens against Michigan, then faces SEC gauntlet games against Alabama, Tennessee, and rival Texas A&M.
Still, Sarkisian is unfazed.
“We embrace the challenge. Iron sharpens iron,” he said. “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. That’s what the SEC is all about, and that’s why Texas belongs here.”
Depth and Development
Another key advantage for Texas is its depth. Sarkisian and his staff have assembled two-deep rotations at nearly every position. That depth was on full display during the 2025 spring game, where second- and third-string players showed poise and playmaking ability.
Backup quarterback Arch Manning continues to develop behind Ewers, drawing praise for his work ethic and maturity. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and defensive lineman Alfred Collins headline a wave of underclassmen ready to contribute.
“This is the deepest team we’ve had,” said Sark. “Injuries are part of the game, but now we have guys ready to step in without missing a beat.”
Special Teams Matter
In tight SEC games, special teams can be the difference between a win and a loss. Texas has invested in that area, with All-SEC kicker Bert Auburn returning for his senior year and punter Ryan Sanborn providing consistency.
The return game also features dynamic threats, with Bond and Cook capable of flipping field position with a single burst.
“We take special teams seriously,” Sarkisian emphasized. “That phase wins championships, and we treat it with the respect it deserves.”
The Final Step
For all the accolades and positive momentum, Sarkisian knows there’s one thing missing—a national championship. Texas came close in 2024 but fell short against a loaded Georgia team. This year, the mission is crystal clear.
“This team is on a mission,” said Sark. “The margin for error is small, but we’ve prepared for this moment. We’ve taken the hits. We’ve built the culture. Now it’s about finishing.”
The players echo that sentiment. There’s no fear in their eyes—only hunger. They know the expectations, and they welcome them.
“Pressure is a privilege,” said Ewers. “That’s what Coach Sark tells us all the time. We’re built for this.”
Looking Ahead
With top-ranked recruiting classes on the horizon and a revamped football facility set to open in 2026, the future of Texas football looks brighter than it has in two decades. Sarkisian’s belief in his foundation—his players, staff, and system—has turned skeptics into believers.
But he isn’t interested in hype anymore. He wants hardware.
“The talk is over,” he said. “Now it’s time to win. And I believe this Texas team has everything it takes to do just that.”
Final Word: Eyes on the Prize
In many ways, the 2025 season feels like the culmination of Sarkisian’s rebuild. Texas is no longer just “on the rise”—it’s arrived. The players are experienced. The schemes are refined. The belief is unshakable.
There will be challenges—injuries, hostile environments, SEC juggernauts—but Sarkisian isn’t blinking. He knows this team, more than any he’s coached at Texas, has the toughness and talent to weather the storm and come out on top.