Five Texas Players Not Named Arch Manning That College Football Fans Need to Know originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There is plenty of hype building around the Texas Longhorns in 2025, but most of it is due to one player.
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Former No. 1 overall recruit and five-star quarterback, Arch Manning, has been given the keys to the program after two years of sitting behind Quinn Ewers. The nephew of Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning may have as high expectations as any incoming player has had in decades.
With that being said, aside from Manning, the Longhorns will have quite a few new faces inserted into the starting lineup in 2025. They are set to replace nine starters on offense, while replacing five on defense.
So, while Manning is the headliner, there are certainly a handful of players that fans should know before they emerge as stars in 2025.
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Parker Livingstone (13) reacts.Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Parker Livingstone, WR
Among the position groups that saw an exodus to the NFL was wide receiver. This will allow for newer players to step in and carve out a role for themselves. Someone who caught plenty of attention during spring, and even turned some heads during day one of fall camp, was redshirt freshman, Parker Livingstone.
The 6-foot-4 receiver has the combination of size and speed that can make him extremely difficult to cover, and being that he and Manning were both reserves, they should have some familiarity with one another going into the year.
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Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Trevor Goosby (74).
Trevor Goosby, OT
The Texas Longhorns had four offensive linemen make the leap to the NFL, which would decimate most programs the following year. For Texas, they have a battle-tested budding star ready to slide in at left tackle in Trevor Goosby.
He filled in for an injured Kelvin Banks against Texas A&M in Texas’ final game, started against Georgia in the SEC championship, and also swung over to right tackle in Texas’ College Football Playoff game against Clemson after Cam Williams went down. In those games, he averaged a pass-blocking grade of 78.18, and will now be tasked with protecting Manning’s blindside full time.
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Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian reacts.Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Maraad Watson, DL
In an effort to restock across the defensive line, the Longhorns brought in five defensive tackles from the transfer portal. While four of the five additions are upperclassmen, the Longhorns were able to get a long-term investment of sorts in Syracuse transfer Maraad Watson.
The Freshman All-American racked up 30 total tackles, a pass deflection and a sack last season for the Orange. While there are some veterans throughout the room, Watson has the talent and potential to rise to the top.
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Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Emmett Mosley V (10).
Emmett Mosley V, WR
Arguably one of the most under-the-radar transfer portal additions of the offseason, the Texas Longhorns were able to add Emmett Mosley from Stanford after the program fired head coach Troy Taylor.
As a true freshman coming off a serious injury during his high school career, Mosley was second on the team in catches (48), receiving yards (525) and tied for the team-high in touchdowns (6) with now-Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor. He is a player that can be used in multiple ways, offering this Texas offense some experience and versatility.
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Texas DB Jaylon Guilbeau.© Sarah Phipps / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Jaylon Guilbeau, DB
Similar to his predecessor, Jahdae Barron, Guilbeau made the switch from Texas’s star/nickel role to the outside corner spot. While he has had a significant role throughout his career, Guilbeau has a chance to solidify himself as one of the top corners in college football.
He will also have a chance to fend off talented youngsters on his own team like Kobe Black, Kade Phillips and Santana Wilson.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
