Steve Sarkisian reveals the most talented position Texas has in 2025

A Steve Sarkisian-led football team is typically known for its innovative offense filled with playmakers at each skill position. While the main attention will be on Arch Manning and the Texas offense to begin the season, perhaps another position group will emerge as the premier contributor to the Longhorns’ efforts in 2025.

According to Sarkisian, Texas’ defensive backs should be a force to be reckoned with in 2025. A mix of skill and expertise is expected to guide coach Duane Akina’s group to success this fall.

“I would argue it might be the best position group we have on our team right now from sheer talent,” Sarkisian told ESPN. “Now we have some experience there with Michael Taaffe coming back, Derek Williams getting healthy, Jelani McDonald‘s experience, Jaylon Guilbeau‘s experience, Malik Muhammad‘s experience.

“But below those guys, I think our ability to recruit that position the last two years is really evident. The guys look the part, they all are impactful players on special teams and so [coach Akina has] inherited a really good room of talented players, competitive players that are going to help us down the road.”

Michael Taaffee was the second-leading tackler on the Longhorns’ defense last season. He totaled 78 tackles, including two sacks, 10 pass breakups, a pair of interceptions and a forced fumble. As productive as he was, Derek Williams was only able to play in three games during his sophomore season at Texas. He suffered a season-ending injury during the Red River Rivalry after playing just three games.

Guilbeau had a breakout season for the Longhorns in 2024. After amassing 25 total tackles in the first two seasons of his career, the Port Arthur native came out and compiled 58 tackles including 35 solo. He recorded three pass breakups and a sack. However, he’s still searching for the first interception of his college career. For McDonald and Muhammad, they combined for 63 tackles while McDonald picked up and PBU and an interception during last season.

Texas’ defensive unit totaled 22 interceptions, forced 25 fumbles and 37 sacks altogether on its way to the national semifinal. The Longhorns may have come up just short of Ohio State in that matchup, but with a group like that anchoring the secondary on the Forty Acres — Sarkisian believes there is a lot to be excited about defensively for Texas fans this fall. They’ll begin the 2025 season on the road against the Buckeyes as the Longhorns seek redemption for January’s Cotton Bowl Classic.