With the 2025 college football season still months away, attention is already focused on the top returning players. Among them stand the two Texas Longhorns stars — QB Arch Manning and EDGE Colin Simmons. Manning’s long-awaited opportunity to start and Simmons’ breakout performance as a freshman have positioned them as key Longhorns players for the upcoming season.
Arch Manning’s Big Year Ahead
While both of these players are expected to be pivotal figures for the Longhorns in their pursuit of a national title, much of the attention will be directed towards Arch Manning’s first opportunity to fully lead the offense. The On3Sports X account posted a picture with the rank stating each player who could return.
NEW: Top 10 returning College Football players next season via @AriWasserman👀
Do you agree? 🤔https://t.co/c0Wiufirmp pic.twitter.com/8rG7GACJkS
— On3 (@On3sports) January 29, 2025
When Manning, the top-ranked recruit in the 2023 class, committed to the University of Texas, he instantly became one of the most highly anticipated quarterbacks in college football. With a family legacy that includes uncles Peyton and Eli Manning and grandfather Archie Manning, expectations have always been sky-high.
However, despite being a mega-star already, Manning has spent the last two seasons behind Quinn Ewers, patiently waiting for his opportunity to start.
Manning saw limited playing time during his first two years at Texas, primarily in situations where Ewers was injured or when the team was in garbage time situations. But still, his performance in those moments has shown that he’s ready for the starting role.
In his young career, Manning completed 68% of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also ran for 108 yards and four additional scores. Now, with Ewers leaving for the NFL, Manning is being handed the keys to an explosive offense.
Colin Simmons Stands as a Defensive Star for Texas
On the defensive side, linebacker Colin Simmons has emerged as one of Texas’ most promising players. Simmons had a standout freshman season, finishing with 31 total tackles, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass breakups, and one interception.
His ability to make plays in all areas of the game has earned him widespread recognition and set the stage for a dominant sophomore year.
RELATED: Arch Manning Faces Growing Pressure as Steve Sarkisian’s 2025 Class Lands Elite 5-Star Duo
His strong freshman campaign earned him multiple honors, including the Shawn Alexander Award, given to the top true freshman in college football, as well as a spot on the Freshman All-SEC Team.
Heading into 2025, Simmons is expected to be one of the top players on the Texas defense, and his leadership will be crucial in anchoring the Longhorns’ unit. Texas fans are excited to see what Simmons can do as he continues to develop and take on a larger role with the team.
In today’s era of the transfer portal and NIL deals, players jumping between schools is common, but Simmons’ commitment to Texas appears unwavering. He recently posted on Instagram with the caption, “I’ll be back.”
This has signaled his intention to return to Texas for his sophomore season. His decision to stay in Texas adds stability to the Longhorns’ defense, which will be a major factor in their national title aspirations.
With Manning stepping in as the starting quarterback and Simmons leading the defense, Texas is poised to be one of the top teams in college football next season.
The Longhorns have a well-rounded roster, with star players on both sides of the ball, which makes them a serious contender for the national championship. With these two players leading the charge, Texas has the potential to make a serious run at the national title.
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