Texas Defense Draws High Praise: McElroy Calls It the Best in the Country

Texas Defense Draws High Praise: McElroy Calls It the Best in the Country

Greg McElroy, a respected voice in college football and former national championship-winning quarterback at Alabama, sent shockwaves through the sport’s landscape with a bold statement on his “Always College Football” podcast. With the 2025 season looming on the horizon and expectations mounting across the Southeastern Conference, McElroy named the Texas Longhorns — specifically their defense — as the most dangerous, the “baddest” in the country heading into the new campaign. It was a proclamation that turned heads not just in Austin, but across the national college football conversation.

For a program steeped in tradition yet haunted by recent years of underachievement, McElroy’s assertion marks a dramatic shift in perception. Since joining the SEC, Texas has been under the microscope, with fans and analysts alike questioning whether the Longhorns could truly hang with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU on a weekly basis. Now, as Texas prepares for its second SEC season under head coach Steve Sarkisian, their defense is not only being taken seriously — it’s being considered the standard.

McElroy didn’t mince words. “Texas might have the highest ceiling of any defense in the country,” he said. “They bring back some really high-level players, and frankly, when you look at the names on that defense, they’re as star-studded as anyone in the SEC — maybe even in the nation. It’s a group that’s fast, aggressive, versatile, and deep. They’re not just good; they’re scary good.”

The praise is rooted in both numbers and personnel. In 2024, Texas led the SEC in several key defensive categories, including yards allowed per play (4.4), tackles for loss, and red-zone efficiency. Pete Kwiatkowski, the defensive coordinator who has often flown under the radar, crafted a system that emphasized positional versatility and physical dominance. The Longhorns consistently controlled the line of scrimmage and stifled explosive plays, all while maintaining enough flexibility to adapt to modern spread offenses. They were the kind of defense that could break down your run game and still challenge you vertically.

And yet, what truly elevates Texas ahead of the 2025 season is their returning talent. While the loss of key contributors like Jahdae Barron to the NFL Draft left some questions, the cupboard is far from bare. In fact, it may be even more intimidating. The front seven, always a cornerstone of any elite defense, is anchored by EDGE rusher Trey Moore, who transferred in from UTSA prior to the 2024 season and quickly established himself as a pass-rushing force. Moore’s speed off the edge, combined with a relentless motor and improved technique, turned him into a household name by midseason.

Alongside Moore, the linebacker corps is anchored by Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau — both of whom have the size, speed, and intelligence to dominate in the SEC. Hill, in particular, has drawn comparisons to some of the best linebackers in recent memory. A sideline-to-sideline tackler with elite instincts, Hill has the rare ability to cover tight ends, shoot gaps, and set the tone in the middle of the field. Lefau, meanwhile, complements him perfectly with his physicality and leadership.

Then there’s the secondary, which might be the most underrated piece of the equation. Michael Taaffe, the cerebral safety who often acts as a second quarterback on the field, returns with more experience and a chip on his shoulder. Cornerback Malik Muhammad, another standout, has the length and athleticism to lock down elite receivers — something that Texas will need when facing SEC passing attacks.

Steve Sarkisian, for his part, seems to relish the newfound identity of his team. While he built his reputation on offense — orchestrating explosive attacks at Alabama and continuing that tradition in Austin — Sarkisian has long maintained that championships are won with defense. Now, with a unit that has earned national respect, he sees the opportunity to turn Texas into a complete program.

“We’ve always talked about complementary football,” Sarkisian told reporters this spring. “But this year, there’s an edge to our defense. They don’t just want to stop people — they want to dominate. That’s the mindset we’ve been cultivating.”

That mindset is more than rhetoric. It’s rooted in cultural change. When Sarkisian arrived at Texas in 2021, the program was in a period of transition. Tom Herman’s tenure had yielded mixed results, and there was a pervasive sense that Texas had lost its edge — both mentally and physically. The hiring of Kwiatkowski and the emphasis on defensive recruiting were major steps in reshaping the program’s identity.

Fast forward to 2025, and the results are evident. The Longhorns’ recruiting classes have consistently featured blue-chip defensive prospects, and many of them have already made their mark. But just as important has been the development of those players. Texas is no longer just stacking talent; they’re turning it into production. And that production, as McElroy noted, is now getting national recognition.

“There’s a reason this group is being talked about the way it is,” McElroy added. “You look at what they did last year, and then you consider the fact that most of those guys are coming back? That’s scary. Not just for the Big 12 teams they used to play — but for Alabama, for LSU, for Georgia. Texas is going to be a problem for everyone.”

For a fanbase that has endured more than a decade of underperformance and unfulfilled expectations, this is welcome news. Texas fans are known for their passion and loyalty, but the frustration has been mounting. Since their last national championship in 2005 and the heartbreaking loss in the title game to Alabama in 2009, the Longhorns have struggled to re-establish themselves as an elite program. Coaching changes, quarterback controversies, and defensive lapses became all too familiar.

Now, finally, the narrative is changing. The 2024 season showed flashes of greatness — close wins, dominant defensive efforts, and a bowl victory over a top-tier opponent — but it also laid the groundwork for what could be a true breakthrough in 2025. If McElroy is right, and this defense is indeed the most dangerous in the country, Texas may have the key ingredient it has long been missing: consistency on the defensive side of the ball.

And it’s not just media hype. NFL scouts are taking notice, too. Multiple defensive players on the Longhorns’ roster are considered early-round prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. With Trey Moore drawing comparisons to players like Micah Parsons, and Anthony Hill already being touted as a future first-round pick, it’s clear that Texas is developing the kind of talent that translates at the next level.

Recruiting momentum is also building. High school players across the country are now seeing Texas not just as an offensive showcase, but as a destination for elite defensive prospects. The Longhorns recently secured commitments from several top-100 defensive players, and more are expected to follow. As Kwiatkowski continues to build depth and cultivate a next-man-up mentality, the foundation for sustained success is clearly being laid.

There’s also a cultural element at play. The swagger that defined Texas in its heyday — the confidence, the physicality, the expectation of greatness — is beginning to return. You can see it in the way players talk, the way they practice, and the way they carry themselves on the field. And while Sarkisian has always emphasized humility and focus, he’s also embraced the pride that comes with representing a program like Texas.

“This place is special,” Sarkisian said during spring camp. “There’s a standard that comes with putting on that burnt orange. Our guys understand that. They don’t take it lightly. And they’re hungry — hungry to prove that this is where the best football in the country is played.”

As the 2025 season nears, the schedule presents its own challenges. Matchups with Alabama, Georgia, and Texas A&M loom large, and navigating the SEC gauntlet will require more than just hype. It will take execution, discipline, and health. But for the first time in years, Texas doesn’t enter the season hoping to compete — they enter it expecting to win.

Of course, it remains to be seen how things will play out. Injuries, bad bounces, and unforeseen circumstances can derail even the most talented teams. But what’s undeniable is that Texas is entering 2025 with a level of defensive credibility it hasn’t had in over a decade. And if McElroy’s prediction proves accurate, it could be the beginning of a new era — not just for Texas football, but for the entire SEC landscape.

In a sport where perception often lags behind reality, McElroy’s endorsement may serve as the tipping point for national recognition. It’s not just that Texas has a good defense. It’s that they have, potentially, the best defense in the country — and perhaps the kind of unit that can carry them to the College Football Playoff and beyond.

Only time will tell whether the Longhorns can live up to the hype. But one thing is clear: Greg McElroy has lit the fuse. Now, all eyes turn to Austin to see if Texas can ignite the fire.