Future of Texas Football Trending Upward Ahead of 2024 SEC Move

The Texas Longhorns have the potential to take off not only this year but in years to come.

The Texas Longhorns were left off of Adam Rittenberg's 25-team 2022 future power rankings list, but that has changed.

The Longhorns are entering their last year in the Big 12 and will make the move to the Southeastern Conference for 2024, but that hasn't docked them any points. To Rittenberg, Texas' No. 3 2023 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, could "go a long way" in addressing future needs and filling holes.

Rittenberg ranked the "fascinating case study" Longhorns 15th in his future team rankings with a future quarterback ranking of seventh, a future offensive ranking of ninth and a future defensive ranking of 17th.

"The rankings are mainly based on personnel, an area where the Longhorns are really thriving under coach Steve Sarkisian," Rittenberg wrote. "Texas has the Big 12's best roster this season and continues to add ESPN top-100 national recruits, signing nine in the 2023 class, headlined by quarterback Arch Manning (No. 5 overall), linebacker Anthony Hill (No. 16), wide receiver Johntay Cook II (No. 26) and running back Cedric Baxter Jr. (No. 30). But the Longhorns also transition to the SEC in 2024, and Sarkisian has won more than eight games just once as a head coach, despite leading three programs that rank in the top 25 in all-time FBS victories."

Rittenberg touched on the turnover coming on the defensive side of the ball after next season with linebacker Jaylan Ford, edge rusher Barryn Sorrell, safeties Jahdae Barron, Jerrin Thompson and Arkansas transfer Jalen Catalon all draft eligible. However, he said Hill, defensive backs Malik Muhammad and Derek Williams and defensive lineman Sydir Mitchell might be able to alleviate the sting of next offseason's potential losses.

Texas' offense is "set up to reach nationally elite levels in the next few seasons," Rittenberg wrote.

"Texas has a premier quarterback room with starter Quinn Ewers, talented backup Maalik Murphy, Manning and even 2025 commit K.J. Lacey," Rittenberg wrote. "The wide receiver room also looks loaded with All-Big 12 performer Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell and Isaiah Neyor, who returns from injury. Ja'Tavion Sanders leads the tight ends for another year. 

"Texas also can feel confident the offensive line has turned a corner under coach Kyle Flood. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. could anchor the group through at least 2024, and right tackle Christian Jones is the only projected 2023 starter with senior eligibility."

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You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419

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