Texas Longhorns' new-look offensive line replaces a lot, but also has a lot to prove in 2025
Replacing four starters from a CFP unit will not be easy. But, the offensive line cupboard at Texas is not bare.
Most news outlets have the Texas Longhorns preseason No. 1 despite heavy losses on the offensive line. Four starters are gone, but the returning names up front aren’t exactly unproven. DJ Campbell and Cole Hutson are back and both have over 1,000 snaps under their belt. There’s a ton of buzz about Trevor Goosby and a potential breakout campaign. And Neto Umeozulu and Brandon Baker are the other two presumed starters.
How will this group mesh? Will it be able to keep Arch Manning upright? Can Quintrevion Wisner eclipse 1,000 yards again? These questions are at the top of everyone’s mind heading into fall camp. Let’s take a look at what Texas has to do up front to ensure it will be another banner year and CFP run in 2025.
247Sports’ Hank South spoke with head coach Steve Sarkisian in the spring about his mindset replacing a solid 2024 group.
“There's been a high standard set in our program at all positions. This has been kind of the first time the offensive line has had to be part of that,” Sarkisian said. “We've dealt with it on the defensive line for a couple years now, we've dealt with it at wide receiver for a couple years now, we've dealt with it at the running back position for a couple years now. This has probably been the first time the offensive line is part of that transition. But again, a lot of these guys have been in our program, they've worked hard, and they're chomping at the bit for their opportunity."
The biggest concern is most likely in regards to Arch Manning and keeping his jersey clean
Last season, Texas’ group in the trenches was arguably the best in pass protection. Furthermore, when defenses brought the heat, the Longhorns were Top 5 against the blitz, per Pro Football Focus. You can bet defenses will be trying to speed up Manning’s internal clock this year as he takes the reins of Sarkisian’s offense for the first time as a starter.
Continuity on the offensive line is paramount to be elite. Texas is trying to replace four starters up front and will have a talented group to choose from. But, how the group works together is far more important than talent on paper. Hutson could move around on the interior, lining up at center. Umeozulu and Baker have done more than enough to earn the nod last season and in spring practice.
And finally, Goosby got his shot at both left and right tackle last season so he is expected to be a dude as well. If this group can wade through the learning waters early, it could be another lethal weapon for Sarkisian this fall.
“Part of that, for us, is to live through maybe some of the growing pains that we just don’t have the continuity that we’ve had the last couple years, but there’s still a lot of good players that if we felt like they weren’t good enough maybe we would have gone to the portal," Sarkisian said at SEC Spring Meetings. "But we felt like we had more pressing needs that we needed to address, and that room was going to be good enough for us to compete at a high level.”
The best way to settle in a new-look offensive line is to have a dynamic run game.
Wisner made folks pay last season with Texas’ outside zone run scheme. In the CFP first round game versus Clemson, the Longhorns ran for 249 yards and two touchdowns with this scheme alone. The offense ranked among the best in the country when running outside zone, finishing at or near the top in yards per attempt, explosive runs and yards after contact.
Wisner will tote it plenty, but the reinforcements behind him should be able to spell him and do some damage as well.
