Texas Football 2005 vs 2009 vs 2025: Comparing Offensive Depth and Talent

Texas football has seen several golden eras, but few are as iconic as the 2005 National Championship team and the 2009 squad that battled for a title. Fast forward to 2025, and the Longhorns are once again loaded with blue-chip talent coming off another championship run. This article ranks each offensive position — quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive line, and tight end — to see how today’s team stacks up against those historic rosters.

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Quarterback

Ranking: 2005 (1), 2009 (2), 2025 (3)**

2005: This group gets the nod for No. 1 because it featured two quarterbacks who eventually led Texas to national title games — Vince Young winning in 2005 and Colt McCoy redshirting that same season before leading Texas to the 2009 championship game. Young’s unmatched playmaking and “it-factor” cement this room as the gold standard.

2009: McCoy edged out the 2025 room because he’s a proven winner — leading Texas to the Big 12 title and a shot at the National Championship, which should have been two National Championship appearances, especially after beating Oklahoma 45-35 (cough, cough). McCoy also set countless Texas records during his career. His production and leadership elevate this room above 2025. The room did feature 2008 Gatorade player of the year Garrett Gilbert, and Sherrod Harris.

2025: Arch Manning might be the most polished passer Texas has ever seen. Like many elite prospects, he carries the same “it factor” McCoy and Young had — the ability to rally a team and command a locker room, and put on his Super-Man cape. He’s widely viewed as a truly special talent with the traits to eventually lead Texas back to similar heights. Behind him, the room features Trey Owens, a redshirt freshman, and K.J. Lacey, a true freshman, giving Texas a young but talented depth chart for the future. For now, though, this group stays at No. 3 until it proves itself on the field.

Running Back

Ranking: 2005 (1), 2025 (2), 2009 (3)**

2005: Jamaal Charles, Selvin Young, and Ramonce Taylor headlined one of the most loaded backfields in Texas history. Even reserves like Henry Melton before moving to DE gave the Horns quality depth.

2009: The committee approach featured Fozzy Whittaker, Tre Newton, DJ Monroe (a hybrid weapon similar to Ryan Niblett today), and Vondrell McGee, Jeremy Hills, and Cody Johnson. Solid group, but lacked the elite game-changer of 2005 or the blue-chip depth of 2025.

2025: CJ Baxter, Tre Wisner, Jerrick Gibson, and Christian Clark lead a stacked room, with younger backs ready to contribute. If Baxter returns fully healthy, this unit has top-tier upside, though it hasn’t matched 2005’s production yet.

Wide Receiver

Ranking: 2005 (1), 2009 (2), 2025 (3)**

2005: Limas Sweed, Billy Pittman, Quan Cosby, and a redshirting Jordan Shipley led the group, with Ramonce Taylor doubling as a WR/RB weapon. Nate Jones who started a few games as a true freshman and veteran Brian Carter added savvy and reliability to round out the depth chart.

2009: Shipley emerged as Colt McCoy’s go-to target, while Marquise Goodwin, John Chiles (QB-turned-WR), Dan Buckner, James Kirkendoll, DeSean Hales and Malcolm Williams . Williams’ profile mirrors modern prospect Ryan Wingo in terms of frame and athleticism.

2025: Ryan Wingo headlines a young but promising unit that includes DeAndre Moore, Stanford transfer Emmett Moseley, Parker Livingstone, and three highly touted freshmen still acclimating to the college level. The upside is significant, but the group remains largely unproven compared to the earlier eras.

Offensive Line

Ranking: 2005 (1), 2025 (2), 2009 (3)**

2005: This line was the foundation of the national championship run and arguably the deepest in modern Texas history. Jonathan Scott and Justin Blaylock anchored the tackle spots, with Kasey Studdard and Lyle Sendlein forming a dominant interior. Tony Hills served as a reserve tackle that season but later became a starter and NFL player. Depth was exceptional, with Mike Garcia and Chris Hall — who went on to become a multi-year starter and key member of the 2009 title-game team — also part of the rotation. Freshman Adam Ulatoski was waiting in the wings and would start later in his career, giving this group future NFL-level depth across the board.

2009: A hard-working but less star-studded group featuring Ulatoski, Charlie Tanner, Michael Huey, Mason Walters, and Tray Allen. While they got the job done and protected McCoy in a pass-heavy offense, they lacked the elite upside of 2005 and 2025.

2025: While this group doesn’t have the same proven depth — particularly at tackle — as 2005, the starting five are NFL-caliber talents. Trevor Goosby, Nick Brooks, DJ Campbell, and Brandon Baker headline a group widely considered one of the most athletic and high-upside lines in the country. Despite limited depth at certain spots, their overall talent earns them the nod over 2009.

Tight End

Ranking: 2025 (1), 2005 (2), 2009 (3)**

2005: Led by David Thomas, who went on to win a Super Bowl after his Texas career, this group did everything the offense required. Thomas was the clear star, while Jermichael Finley (a true freshman at the time) later developed into an NFL tight end. The rest of the room — Peter Ullman and Neale Tweedie — were primarily role players who provided blocking in the run game and occasional bootleg leak-out options in the passing game. Though not overflowing with star power, this room contributed to a national title and maximized their roles.

2009: The 2009 group had size and potential but ultimately didn’t live up to expectations. Blaine Irby was projected as the next great Texas tight end before a devastating knee injury. The room also featured DJ Grant, Ahmad Howard, Greg Smith, and Barrett Matthews, among others, but none emerged as consistent difference-makers. Their collective underachievement puts this room third.

2025: The current group is the deepest and most talented Texas has had in decades — Jack Endries, Jordan Washington, Nick Townsend, and Emaree Winston headline a room full of future NFL prospects. They offer a rare combination of size, athleticism, and versatility, making them matchup nightmares in the passing game while also providing strong blocking in the run game. Coming off a national championship, this room is absolutely loaded and could define Texas’ offensive success in 2025 and beyond.

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The 2005 team remains the benchmark for Texas football, with proven playmakers and future NFL stars at every position. The 2009 offense leaned heavily on McCoy’s leadership but lacked the all-around depth of 2005. The 2025 group? It may be the most purely talented offense since 2005, especially at tight end and along the line, but it still needs to prove itself over a full season to join that elite company.