Texas Ascendant: Longhorns Claim #1 National Ranking in Nine Sports During Historic 2024-25 Athletic Season
In the storied annals of college athletics, few schools can boast sustained excellence across multiple sports. But in the 2024–25 season, the University of Texas at Austin has rewritten the narrative of what dominance looks like in NCAA competition. The Texas Longhorns have reached an unprecedented milestone, earning the No. 1 national ranking in nine different sports, cementing their status as a true titan of collegiate athletics.
This feat is not merely symbolic. It is a reflection of deliberate investment, elite coaching, blue-chip recruiting, and a championship culture that permeates across every athletic facility in Austin. From the gridiron to the pool, from the hardwood to the track, the Longhorns have surged to the top, showing that they are not just a football school, a baseball school, or even a basketball school—they are the school.
Let’s dive into this historic season sport-by-sport and examine how Texas achieved this near-mythical level of success.
1. Football: The Return of the Powerhouse
After years of “Texas is back” memes and cautious optimism, the 2024 Texas Longhorns football team has delivered in spectacular fashion. Following a dominant start to the season that included a lopsided win over Alabama and a statement victory over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, Texas catapulted to No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time since 2009.
A huge reason for their ascent has been the arrival of Arch Manning, who stepped in for the injured Quinn Ewers and never looked back. Manning has showcased poise beyond his years, delivering NFL-level throws and executing Sarkisian’s complex offense with surgical precision.
But it hasn’t just been Manning. Texas boasts one of the most complete rosters in college football—headlined by a defense that ranks top-5 nationally in takeaways and tackles for loss. The return to prominence has reignited a fanbase starved for a national title—and this may finally be the year.
2. Women’s Basketball: Harmon and Booker Reign Supreme
Led by floor general Rori Harmon and dynamic wing Madison Booker, the Texas women’s basketball team has elevated its game to the next tier. Texas knocked off South Carolina earlier in the season, snapping the Gamecocks’ 57-game SEC regular-season winning streak and sending shockwaves through the sport.
Under head coach Vic Schaefer, the Longhorns have become a juggernaut, blending suffocating defense with high-octane scoring. Their balanced attack, boasting a national-best 87.1 points per game, and ability to control the tempo in every contest has made them nearly unbeatable.
The win over South Carolina vaulted them to No. 1 in the AP Poll, and they haven’t looked back. With an unblemished SEC record and double-digit wins over multiple ranked opponents, the Horns are the team to beat heading into March.
3. Men’s Swimming & Diving: A Legacy Extended
Texas Swimming & Diving is no stranger to success, and the 2024–25 team has continued the legacy built by legendary coach Eddie Reese and now maintained by his successor.
The men’s team holds the No. 1 national ranking after multiple NCAA-best performances in freestyle, butterfly, and medley relays. Freshman sensation Jett Hamlin has broken three school records and sits atop the national leaderboard in the 100m butterfly.
On the diving board, Texas has also flourished. Two-time All-American Logan Carver clinched the No. 1 national ranking in the 3-meter springboard, helping push the Longhorns ahead of Stanford and Florida in the rankings.
⚾ 4. Baseball: America’s Pastime, Texas-Style
Texas Baseball entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations after a top-three finish in last year’s College World Series. Head coach David Pierce’s team returned multiple starters and added impact transfers like Reed Whittington, who currently leads the Big 12 in RBIs.
Early season sweeps over Arkansas, LSU, and a dramatic walk-off win over Vanderbilt helped propel Texas to the No. 1 spot in the D1Baseball poll. What sets this team apart is its depth—both in the bullpen and at the plate.
Junior righty Ben Serrano headlines a pitching rotation that leads the nation in strikeouts, while shortstop Jake Chandler anchors the infield and has dazzled with a .421 average. If the team remains healthy, Omaha may be just the beginning.
5. Men’s Tennis: Precision and Power
Under head coach Bruce Berque, Texas Men’s Tennis has returned to national prominence. Currently ranked No. 1 by the ITA, the team boasts elite singles players Evan King Jr. and Santiago Pérez, both ranked in the national top-10 individually.
Their doubles teams have been equally dominant, losing just one match all season and sweeping SEC competition in straight sets.
The Longhorns’ early season wins over Ohio State, TCU, and USC, all top-10 programs, established their credentials. Now, they’re eyeing the program’s first NCAA team title since 2019.
6. Women’s Tennis: Back-to-Back-to-Back?
Not to be outdone, the Texas Women’s Tennis team also holds the top spot in the nation. This team has won back-to-back national titles and looks poised to three-peat.
Junior Anya Petrovic leads the charge, currently undefeated in singles matches. The doubles pair of Petrovic and Lindsay Yuen have yet to drop a set against top-25 opponents.
Head coach Howard Joffe has built a machine in Austin—one that thrives on development, depth, and mental toughness. With the NCAA Tournament approaching, the Longhorns are the prohibitive favorites.
7. Volleyball: National Title or Bust
Coming off a Final Four appearance in 2024, Texas Volleyball entered the 2025 campaign with sky-high expectations—and they’ve exceeded them. Currently ranked No. 1 in both the AVCA and NCAA RPI rankings, the Longhorns have swept their last 12 opponents and have not dropped a set in conference play.
Senior outside hitter Skylar Fields, a returning All-American, leads the nation in kills per set. Her dominance, paired with the emergence of sophomore setter Maya Washington, has turned Texas into a volleyball steamroller.
With a top-ranked recruiting class waiting in the wings and unmatched depth at every position, Texas looks primed to bring another banner to Gregory Gym.
8. Men’s Track & Field: Speed City
The Texas men’s track and field team has taken the country by storm, earning the No. 1 national ranking after a string of record-setting performances in indoor meets.
Sophomore sprinter KJ Roberts broke the NCAA indoor 200m record at the Tyson Invitational, while senior distance runner Adrian Mukasa has become a force in the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Throwers and jumpers have also contributed, with Texas currently leading all D1 programs in total points scored across all disciplines.
With SEC Championships and Nationals on the horizon, all eyes are on Austin.
9. Gymnastics: The Surprise Powerhouse
In one of the season’s most pleasant surprises, the Texas gymnastics team has risen to No. 1 in the national rankings for the first time in school history. Long considered a secondary sport in Austin, gymnastics has exploded thanks to a perfect storm of recruiting, coaching, and facility upgrades.
Freshman phenom Daria Tsoi has become a social media sensation with her electric floor routines, while team captain Hannah Glenn leads the nation in beam and vault scores.
Texas outperformed traditional powerhouses like Oklahoma and UCLA to claim the top spot—and if their early season performances are any indication, they’ll be in the title conversation through April.
A Championship Culture Rooted in Austin
So how has Texas managed to achieve No. 1 rankings in nine different sports during a single academic year?
The answer lies in a combination of vision, investment, and execution. Athletic Director Chris Del Conte has aggressively prioritized funding across all programs, ensuring world-class facilities and resources for every athlete, not just those in revenue sports.
The move to the SEC has only heightened the school’s competitive edge. Texas isn’t just surviving in the nation’s most brutal conference—they’re thriving.
Recruiting has reached new heights. NIL deals have allowed Texas to keep top talent from leaving early or transferring. Coaching continuity in many sports has created a stable foundation for sustained success.
Perhaps most importantly, there’s an unmistakable belief within the athletic department—that Texas can and should be the best at everything.
What’s Next?
As we move deeper into the 2024–25 season, the Longhorns will aim to turn those rankings into trophies. National championships are within reach in nearly every one of the nine sports where they are currently ranked No. 1.
For a school that has always prided itself on its slogan—“What starts here changes the world”—this year’s athletic dominance is a resounding echo of that mission.
The Longhorns aren’t just leading. They’re defining greatness across the collegiate sports landscape.