There has been much talk all offseason long about the pressure on Texas quarterback Arch Manning to lead the Longhorns back to the college football playoffs.
It’s gotten to the point where it seems like Texas football’s entire success depends on the young quarterback. However, On3’s JD PicKell does not think that’s the case and believes that Texas can rely on something else for team success.
JD PicKell Predicts Texas to Have the Best Defense in the Country Next Season
On the On3 YouTube Channel, JD PicKell broke down why Texas won’t rely on Manning too much, as he predicted Texas to have the number one defense in all of college football next season.
PicKell explained that Texas’s defensive dominance next season should stem from their returning production, saying, “Texas returns 61% production from a defense last year, which let up about two touchdowns a game. If you’re going by what last year was, Texas was third in America regarding points allowed per game.”
As PicKell points out, in terms of returning production, not many defenses in college football bring back more than the Longhorns. Texas is returning its top two tackle leaders, Anthony Hill and Michael Taaffe, and its sack leader, Colin Simmons.
While the talent is fantastic, PicKell says it’s not an accident that Texas is this good and credits head coach Steve Sarkisian for building the roster up through recruiting, saying, “In those three classes, the last three years, Steve Sakrsian has landed a five-star caliber play at either linebacker or defensive line. What wins in the SEC? Monsters in that front seven.”
PicKell later added, “You go and watch these Texas teams the last couple of years, Steve Sarkisian wants to choke you out.”
KEEP READING: Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Lands ‘Barrel-Chested’ 4-Star DT in Major Recruiting Win
Once again, PicKell hit the nail on the head. Before Sark came to Austin, Texas was often involved in high-scoring Big 12 shootouts, where little to no defense was being played. Since Sark’s arrival, that’s completely flipped, and Texas has been suffocating defensively.
So yes, Manning will have to be efficient to help Texas win a national title next season, but the strength of this Texas team is not at the quarterback position or even on the offensive side of the football. No, it’s that defense that PicKell talked about, and it should be one of the scariest units in the country in 2025.
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