Texas football sets the standard with 5 players in PFF's 2025 "College 50"

PFF's list of the top 50 college football players of 2025 recently came out, and the Longhorns have a school-high 5 players on the list.
Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) poses with the trophy after a victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) poses with the trophy after a victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Texas football team was well-represented in this year's College 50, with five players on the list heading into 2025. The team is also tied with Alabama for the most players on the list, confirming how Pro Football Focus perceives this season's batch of Longhorns.

The list contains four defensive players and one on offense, which is understandable, seeing as though Texas could have a historically dominant defense in 2025. Not only that, but Colin Simmons, Anthony Hill Jr., Michael Taaffe, and Malik Muhammad figure to be some of the team's overall leaders this year.

Arch Manning makes the list as the Longhorns' premier offensive player for the 2025 season, and he could be one of college football's top quarterbacks by season's end.

Much like Manning, Colin Simmons could very well be the top-rated player at his position throughout the upcoming season. He's an incredibly fierce and dangerous edge rusher who can take over games with his pass rush repertoire and speed off the edge.

Hill Jr. is the heart and soul of Texas' defense, alongside Michael Taaffe, and both figure to be dominant players all year long in the SEC. Malik Muhammad came on strong in 2024, becoming one of the premier cornerbacks at the Power Four level. He's also expected to have a big year for DC Pete Kwiatkowski and Co.