The 2025 season delivered meaningful recognition for the Texas Longhorns, as eight players secured spots across the three tiers of the All-SEC teams. Yet the most discussed storyline was the absence of quarterback Arch Manning, whose omission sparked debate about his talent and development.
The most celebrated achievements came from first-team selections Colin Simmons, Michael Taaffe, and Trevor Goosby.
Peyton Manning watches over Arch ahead of the Texas Longhorns game
Simmons emerged as one of the conference’s most disruptive edge rushers, consistently generating backfield pressure and commanding double teams.
Safety Taaffe led by example in the secondary with on-field leadership and disciplined coverage. Offensive lineman Goosby reinforced his value by providing stability throughout a season complicated by injuries and fluctuating personnel.
On the second team, Malik Muhammad, Anthony Hill Jr., Ryan Wingo, and return specialist Ryan Niblett earned recognition.
Each delivered impact performances that shaped Texas’s competitiveness – whether through coverage ability, tackling production, route execution, or field-position advantage.
Third-team honors went to offensive lineman DJ Campbell, highlighting the continued development and depth of the Longhorns’ offensive front.
Arch Manning conspicuous by absence
However, the conversation surrounding the All-SEC teams quickly shifted to who was missing. Manning, once positioned among the most anticipated quarterbacks in college football, failed to secure a spot on any of the three teams.
Entering the year with Heisman expectations that the offense would run through his talent, Manning‘s performances instead swayed between brilliance and frustration.
Personnel changes, inconsistency in protection, and the pressure that accompanies carrying a program with playoff aspirations contributed to a season that never fully aligned with preseason projections.
While Manning demonstrated flashes of the elite arm talent and composure that made him a national headline, the statistical body of work did not outweigh those of other SEC quarterbacks who delivered steadier and more efficient campaigns.
For the Texas coaching staff, the All-SEC results provide both validation and concern. Defensively and across the trenches, Texas remains a breeding ground for NFL-caliber talent.
The first-team nods for Simmons, Taaffe, and Goosby confirm that foundation. Meanwhile, the second- and third-team selections illustrate a roster with depth capable of challenging top programs.
Why Manning’s omission is a concern
The quarterback question, however, will dominate the offseason narrative. The program must determine whether to continue building around Manning, modify its scheme to better complement his strengths, or explore potential competition from younger talent entering the system.
Manning‘s future with the Texas Longhorns is not in jeopardy, but expectations for 2026 will escalate dramatically after missing out on the All-SEC team.
As the 2025 campaign closes, Texas finds itself in a dual reality. While it is respected for producing elite individual performers, there is uncertainty whether the sum of its talent equates to a championship contender.
Whether Manning can transform recognition into results remains the defining storyline as the Longhorns prepare for next season.