Do not be surprised if the Texas Longhorns surface as the next dynasty in college football. Coming off of a 12-2 season in 2023 could just be the start of things to come in Austin with the teams transition to the SEC beginning in 2024. In this article, I give my top five reasons on why I think the Longhorns will surface in the coming years as the next dynasty in college football.
While I truly believe in these points, many were brought to light for my agreement by LockedOn Longhorns Podcast Host, Jonathan Davis who gave some great points himself on what is outlined, as well as many other points on the Longhorns several times each week.
What does joining the SEC mean for the Texas Longhorns?
Well, the SEC is the best conference in college football. While the state of Texas is traditionally one of the top states in the country for recruiting high school alongside California and Florida, they have not had the benefit of being in what is viewed as the top conference in college football as they have been in the Big 12 since 1995.
Joining the SEC now means that players within the state and beyond that want to play for the SEC can do so while playing for the Texas Longhorns.
Why does the Texas Longhorns brand matter?
The Texas Longhorns are a blue blood of college football, but now the Longhorn brand can go in conjunction with being a part of the most successful conference in college football. This will help recruits that desire to play for the brand but having been torn and deciding that their desire to play in the SEC supersedes their desire to play for Texas no longer have to make that decision. This is the best of both world for the Longhorns and their fans.
What does the Texas Longhorns joining the SEC mean for recruiting?
Recruiting will become easier because of the above mentioned. Examples of this are already showing. Look no further than Longhorns backup quarterback, Arch Manning who announced his decision to attend the University of Texas.
Manning was the number one high school recruit in the country in the class of 2022 according to On3 and chose the Longhorns over Alabama and Georgia. And yes- he chose them after finding out that Texas would be joining the SEC, so case and point.
Also, it is worth noting that Alabama and Georgia were coached by Nick Saban and Kirby Smart respectively at the time as this commitment by Manning was made before Saban announced his retirement.
Another big time example in recruiting that could have easily went the other way is in-state high school product from Duncanville, Texas Colin Simmons from the class of 2024. Simmons was ranked as the second highest edge rusher in the class and the 15th best prospect nationally according to On3.
Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers were also in hot pursuit of Simmons at the time and one of Simmons’ top choices, but he opted to stay in-state with the Longhorns.
If Texas were not joining the SEC, I would bet that at least one of these two highly touted prospects would have opted to play in the SEC instead of the Longhorns.
Steve Sarkisian’s success with the Texas Longhorns
After resurrecting his career as a head coach in Austin, Steve Sarkisian has a full tank of gas and the pedal to the floor since his arrival it seems. Under Sarkisian, the Longhorns have improved incrementally each year.
After going 6-7 in year one, they went 8-5 in year two and 12-2 this past year. Sarkisian also led the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff for the first time since its inception.
Texas Longhorn Recruiting Classes under Steve Sarkisian
Since his arrival in 2021, the Longhorns recruiting classes have ranked fifth (2022), third (2023) and sixth (2024). It is clear as I mentioned that both by performance on the field and off of it, Sarkisian and the Longhorns are doing everything right.
City of Austin (Nashville)
Nowadays, many players are drawn to the larger cities with a lot to do. So not only can they play for the Longhorn brand and in the SEC, but they can do it right in one of the fastest growing cities in the country in Austin, Texas.
The University of Texas sits right near downtown and only a few miles away from well-known “6th Street,” which is loaded with bars, restaurants and nigh light.
The only other school in the SEC that can pitch playing for them based on this type of geographic location would be Vanderbilt that sits in Nashville, Tennessee. But we need to be honest here in that the Texas Longhorns and Vanderbilt Commodores are not on the same level as a program and have never been historically. Therefore, they will not be competing for many, if any of the same recruits.