Emotional Saga: Quinn Ewers, another highly regarded quarterback for the Longhorns, ultimately submitted his resignation after the team chose Arch Manning as QB1 over him…

With Arch Manning taking over as Texas football’s QB1 instead of Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns are expected to become a more “dangerous” team.

The Arch Manning era is generating significant excitement heading into the 2025 season. With Manning leading the charge, Texas football is emerging as a top contender among 2025 teams.

This is the attention the Longhorns lacked in the 2024 season, which Quinn Ewers couldn’t spark.

CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd views the Manning hype as both expected and promising.

“The Arch Manning Era kicks off with all the anticipated fanfare,” Dodd writes, placing Texas as the No. 1 team in his early 2025 season projections.

“Thank you for the memories, Quinn Ewers, but the Longhorns will be more dangerous at quarterback thanks to Manning’s athleticism and intelligence.”

Coach Steve Sarkisian also welcomes back national freshman of the year Colin Simmons at defensive end, along with standout linebacker Anthony Hill. Running back C.J. Baxter, who was injured, should help make the backfield more potent.

Last season, Sarkisian’s defense boasted the top defensive line in the country. With the added expectations of the Manning era hype, Texas has a lot to live up to in 2025.

The Longhorns will need to stay vigilant amid rising expectations, especially with SEC powerhouse Georgia closely behind as the second-best team predicted for 2025.

“Wide receiver/kick returner Zachariah Branch should bring some excitement to coordinator Mike Bobo’s offense. Can sophomore running back Nate Frazier become the leader of a running back rotation that helps Georgia reclaim its powerful rushing attack?” Dodd writes about Georgia, acknowledging concerns about ranking the 2024 SEC champions lower than Texas.

“However, Georgia had a rough patch last season with three losses. The problems stemmed from inconsistent quarterback play, a lack of playmaking receivers, and their worst defense in over a decade.”

Still, Kirby Smart remains one of the best head coaches in college football.

If Texas is to challenge for a title next season, Sarkisian can likely expect to face Georgia in one or more key matchups in 2025.