ESPN recently released their list of the top 100 players heading into the 2025 college football season, and quite a few Texas football standouts made the cut. RB Tre Wisner, S Michael Taaffe, CB Malik Muhammad, QB Arch Manning, DE Colin Simmons, and LB Anthony Hill Jr. all made this year's list, and for good reason.
Check out what ESPN's college football experts said about each player:
No. 69 - RB Tre Wisner
"As the only returning 1,000-yard rusher in the SEC this season, Wisner is sacrificing his favorite meal -- a 10-count McNuggets and McDouble from McDonald's -- to get in better shape. He's a double threat for defenses after running for 1,064 yards with five touchdowns and catching 44 passes for 311 yards with one score in 2024. He had a career-high 186 yards in the Longhorns' 17-7 victory against rival Texas A&M."
No.64 - S Michael Taaffe
"A former walk-on and a reigning second-team All-American, Taaffe has been a central figure in the Longhorns' secondary over the past two seasons and returns in 2025 as one of most experienced defenders anywhere in the country. Taaffe finished second among Texas defenders with 78 total tackles a year ago, anchoring a dominant defensive back unit alongside NFL draft selections Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba. With both gone this fall, Taaffe is set to lead a new-look secondary unit at Texas this fall."
No.61 - CB Malik Muhammad
"Muhammad has played in all 30 games since arriving at Texas as a heralded recruit in 2023. In Year 3, he's working hard to produce more turnovers in the secondary. Texas and BYU led the FBS with 22 interceptions last season, but Muhammad didn't have one (and has just one in two seasons combined). He helped the Longhorns limit Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith to only one catch in Texas' 28-14 loss in a CFP semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Muhammad won't have to wait long for another shot at the star receiver; the teams open the season against each other at the Horseshoe on Aug. 30."
No. 23 - QB Arch Manning
"The wait is over. In his third year at Texas, Manning gets the keys to the Longhorns' offense as the full-time starter. He played situationally last season and filled in when Quinn Ewers was injured. The Horns plan to use Manning's strength in both passing and running. The 6-4, 219-pound Manning has thrown 95 passes across his first two seasons, with 90 of those coming in 2024. "
No.11 - DE Colin Simmons
"Simmons had a sensational true freshman campaign and led the Longhorns with nine sacks. A dynamic edge rusher, the 6-3, 240-pound Simmons has the speed and strength to blow past opposing offensive tackles. Texas coaches expect him to take an even bigger leap during his sophomore year after winning the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award in his debut season on the Forty Acres."
No.2 - LB Anthony Hill Jr.
"The 6-3, 238-pound Hill has been a starter since his true freshman season. Now a junior, he has developed into one of the most well-rounded defenders in college football. He led the Longhorns last season with 113 total tackles and was fourth among FBS linebackers with 16.5 tackles for loss. Hill was a first-team ESPN All-America selection last season, and he returns to spearhead Texas' defense."
All six of these players will undoubtedly play a crucial role in Texas' overall success in the 2025 season, and each and every one of them is incredibly deserving of being on this list.