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Paging through the preview mags: Phil Steele's

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook06/29/25josephcook89
Colin Simmons
Colin Simmons (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

College football preview magazines showing up on the shelves at book and grocery stores help signal that the season continues to get closer. Hundreds of laminated pages previewing each team are turned by thousands of fans annually as a way to do a little research on not only your favorite team, but also opponents.

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While there’s no match for Inside Texas, there is some valuable data that magazine creators are able to put on paper ahead of a season.

Here’s a look at what Phil Steele had to say about the Longhorns, the SEC, and more.

All-Americans, All-Conference

  • QB Arch Manning, third-team All-American, second-team All-SEC
  • RB Quintrevion Wisner, third-team All-American, first-team All-SEC
  • TE Jack Endries, third-team All-American, second-team All-SEC
  • DE Colin Simmons, first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC
  • LB Anthony Hill, first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC
  • DB Michael Taaffe, first-team All-American
  • WR Ryan Wingo, second-team All-SEC
  • DE Trey Moore, second-team All-SEC
  • CB Malik Muhammad, third-team All-SEC
  • OG DJ Campbell, fourth-team All-SEC

Position Group Rankings

  • Quarterback: No. 3
  • Running back: No. 3
  • Wide receiver: No. 5
  • Offensive line: No. 26
  • Defensive line: No. 9
  • Linebackers: No. 1
  • Defensive backs: No. 6
  • Specialists: No. 6

Phil Steele’s Power Poll

The Longhorns are No. 3 in the power poll, which uses a computer system in order to spit out a top 136. The Longhorns were No. 4 in his top 40, which is where he predicts teams to finish in the final rankings. Penn State was Steele’s predicted No. 1 team when things are all said and done after 2025.

SEC Forecast

Texas was picked second in the SEC behind the Georgia Bulldogs and ahead of No. 3 Alabama. According to Steele, Texas has the top QB, RB, LB, and special teams groups in the SEC.

Phil Steele’s projected starting lineup

Steele admitted he was not able to talk to Steve Sarkisian prior to press time. That said, there are some lineup projections that don’t match the current reality of the situation on the 40 Acres.

  • QB: Arch Manning, Trey Owens
  • RB: Quintrevion Wisner, CJ Baxter
  • WR: DeAndre Moore, Michael Terry
  • WR: Ryan Wingo, Parker Livingstone
  • WR: Kaliq Lockett, Emmett Mosley
  • TE: Jack Endries, Spencer Shannon
  • LT: Trevor Goosby, Jaydon Chatman
  • LG: Neto Umeozulu, Nate Kibble
  • C: Cole Hutson, Connor Robertson
  • RG: DJ Campbell, Connor Stroh
  • RT: Brandon Baker, Andre Cojoe
  • K: Mason Shipley, Will Stone
  • DE: Colin Simmons, Ethan Burke
  • DT: Travis Shaw, Maraad Watson
  • NT Cole Brevard, Hero Kanu
  • DE: Trey Moore, Zina Umeozulu
  • WLB: Liona Lefau, Ty’Anthony Smith
  • MLB: Anthony Hill, Brad Spence
  • Star: Jelani McDonald, Ryan Niblett — Niblett has since moved back to offense
  • Field CB: Jaylon Guilbeau, Kobe Black
  • Boundary CB: Malik Muhammad, Warren Roberson
  • Boundary safety: Xavier Filsaime, Jonah Williams
  • Field safety: Michael Taaffe, Derek Williams
  • P: Jack Bouwmeester

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Miscellany

  • Toughest schedule ranking: No. 15
  • Plus/Minus Power Rating: 127.24 (No. 1 in the SEC)
  • Projected rush defense: No. 5
  • Projected pass defense: No. 14
  • Projected scoring defense: No. 4
  • Projected total defense: No. 4
  • Projected rushing ypg: 164.8
  • Projected passing ypg: 272.0
  • Projected scoring offense: 33.1 ppg
  • Projected rushing defense ypg: 94.3
  • Projected passing defense ypg: 181.1
  • Projected scoring defense: 17.5 ppg

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