Sports

Four Texas Players Emerging as Leaders for 2025 Season

Four Texas Players Emerging as Leaders for 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Texas lost several of the teams top leaders to the 2025 NFL Draft this offseason.

Kelvin Banks Jr., Jahdae Barron, Quinn Ewers and Gunnar Helm were just some of the key leaders from last season that are now in the NFL.

Fortunately head coach Steve Sarkisian has developed an incredible culture and many others players are ready to step into those shoes. According to Rivals’ Anwar Richardson, four particular players have already claimed that role for the 2025 season.

Quarterback Arch Manning, left tackle Trevor Goosby, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., and safety Michael Taaffe are the four players primed to lead Texas on and off the field this year.

Taaffe was the sure-fire pick as a captain this season, but the other three names are certainly encouraging.

The starting quarterback on any team typically always needs to display a leadership role so its a great sign Manning, although fairly inexperienced, has stepped into that role nicely and his teammates respect him enough to do so. Goosby appears to be taking the same approach Banks did, and Hill is the top linebacker in college football.

Texas’ defensive unit is expected to be the best in the country this season and Taaffe, Hill, Colin Simmons, Trey Moore and a few others are the reason why. The fact that many of Texas’ top playmakers are also role models off the field is a key reason Texas is finding success recently.

The Longhorns will open the season against Ohio State in Columbus on Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT.

Related: Steve Sarkisian Delivers Confident Message on Season Opener at Ohio State

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.

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