Greg McElroy thinks so and he doesn't think it's close.  Texas is loaded at every level with explosive playmakers coming back on the defensive side of the ball, giving the Horns tremendous ceiling, combined with depth from #1 recruiting class.  61% of defensive production returns for 2025 season.  

 

I’ll answer that after game one. 

ESPN's FPI, which runs 20,000 simulated games for each team has projected Texas' Defense #1 going into the season as well.  They've been on this bandwagon for the past 2 months.  

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45284359/2025-college-football-fpi-power-index-best-matchups-title-odds

I am very concerned about the defensive backfield. All new coaches, only returning two starters and one that got burnt multiple times in the playoffs. 

It is absolutely mind boggling impressive when you think about how far Sark, PK, Johnny Nansen and the rest of the defensive staff have come over the past 4+ years.  Looking at several ranking sites, including NCAA, CBS and ESPN, whether you focus on yards per game, points per game or other computer generated rankings, Texas Longhorns Defense has improved more in the past 4 years than any other team in D1 and it's not even close.  Wasn't that long ago in 2021 when Texas was giving up more than 31 pts per game (Georgia only gave up 9.5 pts per game that season) and Texas was giving up 425 yards per game that year compared to 283 yards and 15 points per game last season.  

Can the defense actually be better next season? Let's keep it going to a #1 Defense (and #1 Offense potentially) in 2025.  We're gonna need that defense to overcome big time offenses at Ohio State, Florida, Georgia and we want to shut down OU and A&M.  

Texas Longhorn Total Defensive Ranking by Year:

2021:  100th

2022: 54th

2023: 35th

2024: 3rd

2025: TBD?

https://cfbstats.com/2024/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category10/sort01.html

https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/22

https://www.espn.com/college-football/stats/team/_/view/defense/season/2024/table/passing/sort/yardsPerGame/dir/asc

14 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

I am very concerned about the defensive backfield. All new coaches, only returning two starters and one that got burnt multiple times in the playoffs. 

Everyone was nervous last spring, given our secondary being abysmal in 2023 and getting torched by Penix and the Washington receivers.  People were calling for the secondary coaching staff to be replaced.  Nansen helped stabilize things between the front 7 and back-end of the defense.  With Akina back plus all the athleticism combined with strong LB and Edge play, QBs are gonna be throwing on the run more often, no clean pockets.  That's gonna help our defensive backs.  Jelani McDonald is a beast.  

Edited June 11, 20251 yr by Bevo92

3 minutes ago, Bevo92 said:

Everyone was nervous last spring, given our secondary being abysmal in 2023 and getting torched by Penix and the Washington receivers.  People were calling for the secondary coaching staff to be replaced.  Nansen helped stabilize things between the front 7 and back-end of the defense.  With Akina back plus all the athleticism combined with strong LB and Edge play, QBs are gonna be throwing on the run more often, no clean pockets.  That's gonna help our defensive backs.  Jelani McDonald is a beast.  

 

Edited June 11, 20251 yr by Bevo92

I think there is the potential. I think the secondary gets protected a little early bc we will be getting pressure. The talent is there. Just has to gel. 

And 2nd Team All American Michael Taaffe will be playing in the NFL a year from now.  Until then, he's determined to have this secondary playing 'LIGHTS OUT" and win a Natty on Jan 20, 2026.  

 

Edited June 11, 20251 yr by Bevo92

Colin Simmons is gonna make our defensive backfield's job easier with opposing QBs fearing for their life.  

 

Uh, simple answer is … yes 

54 minutes ago, Austalgia said:

Uh, simple answer is … yes 

Exactly. 

2 hours ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

I am very concerned about the defensive backfield. All new coaches, only returning two starters and one that got burnt multiple times in the playoffs. 

Taffe, Guilbeau, Muhammad were full time starters.   
 

McDonald, Williams started/played in plenty of games as well. 

8 hours ago, BVH said:

Taffe, Guilbeau, Muhammad were full time starters.   
 

McDonald, Williams started/played in plenty of games as well. 

Yep.   Secondary should be solid this season. 

10 hours ago, Bevo92 said:

It is absolutely mind boggling impressive when you think about how far Sark, PK, Johnny Nansen and the rest of the defensive staff have come over the past 4+ years.  Looking at several ranking sites, including NCAA, CBS and ESPN, whether you focus on yards per game, points per game or other computer generated rankings, Texas Longhorns Defense has improved more in the past 4 years than any other team in D1 and it's not even close.  Wasn't that long ago in 2021 when Texas was giving up more than 31 pts per game (Georgia only gave up 9.5 pts per game that season) and Texas was giving up 425 yards per game that year compared to 283 yards and 15 points per game last season.  

Can the defense actually be better next season? Let's keep it going to a #1 Defense (and #1 Offense potentially) in 2025.  We're gonna need that defense to overcome big time offenses at Ohio State, Florida, Georgia and we want to shut down OU and A&M.  

Texas Longhorn Total Defensive Ranking by Year:

2021:  100th

2022: 54th

2023: 35th

2024: 3rd

2025: TBD?

https://cfbstats.com/2024/leader/national/team/defense/split01/category10/sort01.html

https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/22

https://www.espn.com/college-football/stats/team/_/view/defense/season/2024/table/passing/sort/yardsPerGame/dir/asc

IMHO, the single biggest addition to the Longhorn defensive coaching staff is Johnny Nansen.   He brought a vocal leader to the defense starting in the spring of 2024, getting the front 7 to be more connected with the back 4 for improved overall results on the field.   In his first season as a Longhorn, Texas jumped from 35th to 3rd in defensive ranking while Arizona dropped from 50th to 108th.  Nansen’s salary jumped up to $1.1m this season and it seems he’s earning every penny!   We need to make sure we don’t lose him to a DC position elsewhere/.  

Hook em!! 🤘🏼🐂🧡