Could Texas make it five straight years of freshman All-Americans?

After each of the last four seasons, a Texas Longhorns true or redshirt freshman has been named to the Football Writers Association of America’s Freshman All-American team. Is there a candidate on the 2025 Texas Longhorns roster to make it five in a row?

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The four Horns who have earned the honor during the Steve Sarkisian era are Xavier Worthy in 2021, Kelvin Banks in 2022, Anthony Hill in 2023, and Colin Simmons in 2024. All four of those players were ranked as five-star prospects either in the On3 Industry Ranking or by On3.

So who could join their ranks from Texas’ 2025 signing class?

Texas signed five five-star prospects in its most recent class. The high-ranking prospects were:

• S Jonah Williams, No. 7 in the On3 Industry Ranking
• DL Justus Terry, No. 13 in the On3 Industry Ranking
• EDGE Lance Jackson, No. 19 in the On3 Industry Ranking
• WR Kaliq Lockett, No. 20 in the On3 Industry Ranking
• DB Kade Phillips, No. 29 in the On3 Industry Ranking

All of those players are on campus, as are the following top-200 prospects from the On3 Industry Ranking save for TE Nick Townsend: WR Jaime Ffrench, LB Elijah Barnes, CB Graceson Littleton, WR Michael Terry III, EDGE Smith Orogbo, DL Myron Charles, WR Daylan McCutcheon, RB James Simon, and DL Josiah Sharma.

Though the highest ranked player in the class, Williams’ current role with Jim Schlossnagle‘s baseball program makes projecting freshman All-America level play difficult in late March. The physical talent is undoubtedly there, and is likely to be utilized this year. But to what extent with players like Michael Taaffe, Jelani McDonald, Derek Williams, and others ahead of him remains to be seen.

Justus Terry is an excellent option for multiple reasons. He has the physical tools that make significant early playing time a possibility even with three portal additions at his position. Plus, true difference-making freshmen defensive tackles are hard to come by around the country. Terry has difference-making capabilities, though, and that makes him a good option.

Similar applies to Jackson, who On3 ranked as its No. 5 overall prospect. Even with a veteran like Ethan Burke at Jack, Jackson might be the best fit Pete Kwiatkowski has had for that position since he arrived at Texas.

What about Lockett and Phillips? Both of those players could earn playing time this year, significant playing time even. But unless they turn themselves into starters they may not be able to make enough of an impact to draw national eyes. However, the depth chart as it currently stands is more conducive to Lockett making an ascension.

Justus Terry and Jackson are great options, as is Lockett on offense. In order to bring another name forward from offense, add Ffrench as a contender. A versatile player who complements Lockett well, Ffrench could find himself earning similar early snaps with a chance to make a real difference.

FWAA’s list is not limited to true freshmen. Are there any redshirt freshman players that make sense for the distinction?

Plenty. The following players have opportunities to earn starting or heavy rotational roles this season, their second at Texas: RB Christian Clark, WR Parker Livingstone, WR Aaron Butler, EDGE Zina Umeozulu, DB Wardell Mack, DB Santana Wilson, TE Jordan Washington.

Of that group, Washington is the strongest contender since he’s currently Texas’ TE1. Clark is another quality option, but his recovery from his injury suffered last training camp will tell the full tale if he can become a freshman All-American. That said, narrowing it down to two picks is not an easy task.

With how much experience is valued by coaches at the highest levels of competition in college football, picking players in the younger third of the roster to earn significant roles is not the simplest task. But these younger players are immensely talented. Among that immensely talented group, Jackson, Justus Terry, Ffrench, Lockett, Washington, and Clark make the most sense as candidates to become freshman All-Americans and bump the streak up for the Longhorns up to five years.

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Longhorns named FWAA Freshman All-Americans (17)

2024: EDGE Colin Simmons
2023: LB Anthony Hill Jr.
2022: OL Kelvin Banks Jr.
2021: WR Xavier Worthy
2018: DB Caden Sterns
2016: OL Zach Shackelford
2015: LB Malik Jefferson; OL Connor Williams
2011: DB Quandre Diggs
2008: S Earl Thomas
2006: QB Colt McCoy
2005: DL Brian Orakpo
2004: DL Frank Okam
2003: OL Justin Blalock
2002: DL Rodrique Wright
2001: LB Derrick Johnson; K Dusty Mangum