Texas Longhorns and Steve Sarkisian Must Address This Defensive Weakness Ahead of Season Opene
As the 2025 college football season looms large, all eyes are on the Texas Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian. With expectations sky-high following last season’s College Football Playoff appearance and a strong recruiting haul, Texas is widely seen as a true national title contender. However, amid the optimism and hype, there remains one glaring issue that threatens to derail the team’s early momentum: their vulnerability in the secondary.
Despite boasting one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, the Longhorns’ defense — particularly the pass defense — showed worrying signs of inconsistency in key moments last season. In games against top-tier quarterbacks, Texas gave up numerous big plays through the air, often struggling with missed assignments, poor tackling, and communication breakdowns. As the team transitions into a new era in the SEC, that kind of flaw simply won’t be tolerated.
Secondary Struggles
Texas ranked outside the top 50 in passing yards allowed per game last season, a statistic that stands out for a program with championship aspirations. Although the defensive line and linebacking corps have improved under the leadership of defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, the cornerbacks and safeties still face questions regarding depth, experience, and coverage technique.
One of the major concerns is the lack of consistency at the cornerback position. While Terrance Brooks and Malik Muhammad have flashed elite potential, neither has locked down the CB1 role with the kind of reliability Texas fans are hoping for. Sophomore safeties Derek Williams and Jerrin Thompson are talented, but both are still developing the instincts and awareness needed to compete against elite SEC-caliber offenses.
In spring practices and early summer workouts, the defense has made some strides. But observers still report breakdowns in coverage, particularly on deep routes and in zone schemes. Communication issues between corners and safeties have led to blown coverages — something that opposing quarterbacks will be quick to exploit.
Sarkisian’s Urgency
Coach Steve Sarkisian has not shied away from acknowledging the problem. During media availability in May, Sarkisian emphasized the need for improved communication and discipline in the backfield.
“We can’t afford to give up big plays, especially not in this conference,” Sarkisian said. “The margin for error is so small. We’ve got the athletes, but we need to get sharper mentally.”
To that end, Texas brought in veteran defensive backs coach Terry Joseph to work intensively with the unit during the offseason. The Longhorns are also reportedly exploring late transfer portal additions, hoping to add an experienced player who can contribute immediately and bring leadership to a young group.
SEC Arrival Raises the Stakes
The urgency to fix these issues is compounded by Texas’ move to the Southeastern Conference. The SEC is stacked with powerful offenses led by seasoned quarterbacks — including Georgia’s Carson Beck, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. If Texas wants to survive that gauntlet and emerge as a legitimate contender, its pass defense will need to be significantly better.
In their Week 1 matchup, Texas faces a dangerous non-conference opponent in Michigan State, a team with a revamped offense and a high-tempo passing attack under new head coach Jonathan Smith. A sloppy showing by the secondary could result in an upset that derails the Longhorns’ season before it even starts.
The Path Forward
While the offense, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers and a deep receiving corps, may be enough to outscore many teams, championship-level football demands balance. A leaky secondary not only puts pressure on the offense to score constantly but also limits the team’s ability to control games.
To fix the issue, Texas will need more than just better scheming — it requires mental sharpness, chemistry, and leadership from within the unit. Veterans must take ownership, young players must grow up quickly, and the coaching staff must push the right buttons before kickoff in late August.
If Sarkisian and his staff can correct the issues in the secondary, the Longhorns have the talent to compete with anyone in the nation. But if the defensive flaws persist, Texas could find itself on the wrong end of shootouts — and once again watching the national title race from the outside.
Leave a Reply