Every season we see players who were projected as "starters" being unseated at some point during the year, whether that's before week one or in the middle of the campaign. 2025 is unlikely to be any different, and a handful of players could be relegated to the 2nd-team unit if they fail to focus on improvement or consistency in fall camp.
DE Ethan Burke
Burke has undoubtedly been a productive player for the Longhorns over the past three seasons, but there's a reason he was relegated to backup last season.
After Burke started nine games in 2023, Colin Simmons and Trey Moore came in, took the starting defensive end jobs, and never looked back in 2024. Though Burke was still excellent for the team as a rotational player, it wouldn't be surprising to see him lose the starting job again to RS-So. Colton Vasek or even true freshman Lance Jackson in camp. Yes, being seen as the starter is the ultimate goal, but being in a rotational role might be his most effective spot for the Longhorns.
RT Brandon Baker
Baker has been one of the biggest (pun intended) topics of the offseason. He appears to be the heir apparent at right tackle now that Cameron Williams is gone to the NFL, but that could change fast if he has an uneventful fall camp.
Mammoth RS-So. OT Andre Cojoe (6'6", 335 lbs.) could take advantage of the opportunity in practice over the next month or so and end up being the more attractive option there for the coaching staff. He wasn't as highly sought-after as Baker in the recruiting world, but Cojoe has apparently had an impressive first 2 years on campus. Don't sleep on Cojoe in 2025.
SS Jelani McDonald
McDonald flashed at times in 2024 but was also inconsistent in a couple of areas as a sophomore. He's incredibly versatile and was able to bump down into the slot to cover some larger offensive players for the Texas defense as well.
Though McDonald might have the best chance of these four guys to keep their starting spot in 2025, true freshman 5-star S Jonah Williams could secretly have big expectations this season. The No.1 ranked safety in the 2025 class has the size (6'3", 211 lbs.) and strength to do everything that DC Pete Kwiatkowski asks of him and more this year. He reminds people of Baltimore Ravens All-Pro S Kyle Hamilton.
LB Liona Lefau
Lefau turned out to be somewhat of a fan favorite last season and stepped up big time alongside Anthony Hill Jr. in 2024.
He has decent size and athleticism for the position, but unless he takes the next step in camp, one of Texas' new defensive transfers could leapfrog him on the depth chart soon. Brad Spence, one of the top transfer linebackers in the 2025 Transfer Portal, committed to Texas earlier this year and could be in line for legitimate playing time this fall. He's a big "thumper" and would pair very nicely with Hill's athleticism at the 2nd level of the Longhorns' defense. Texas fans shouldn't be surprised if Liona Lefau begins to take a backseat to Spence either to start the 2025 season or as the year progresses.
Also read: Texas freshmen built for EA Sports College Football 26 domination.