The Texas Longhorns might be losing a host of talent to the upcoming NFL Draft this spring, but according to the pundits, they will still be right in the thick of the College Football Playoff conversation.

In the recent release of their way-to-early pre-spring Top 25, On3 Sports has high hopes for the Longhorns, bringing them in at No. 4 in the nation, and No. 2 in the SEC behind only Georgia.

Among the reasons for the high optimism surrounding coach Steve Sarkisian and his program? First and foremost, their ability to reload their lost talent via the transfer portal.

Said On 3:

The Longhorns did lose a slew of talent to the NFL Draft (defensive linemen T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy, playmakers JT Sanders, Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell), but Sarkisian went shopping in the transfer portal, bringing in Alabama tight end Amari Niblack, Alabama wideout Isaiah Bond and Oregon State receiver/returner Silas Bolden.

Texas also shored up its defense with the additions of UTSA pass rusher Trey Moore (14.0 sacks, No. 3 nationally), Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba and Arizona defensive lineman Tiaoalii Savea.

Then of course, there is also the fact that the Horns are returning arguably the best quarterback in the SEC in Quinn Ewers, one of the nation’s top running back duos in Jaydon Blue and Cedric Baxter, and an elite offensive line led by future first-round pick Kelvin Banks.

Not to mention, the elite recruiting class that Sarkisian was able to land in the 2024 cycle, which comes complete with multiple players who should see the field early and often next season.

Among those players, are five-star freshmen Colin Simmons, Xavier Filsaime, Ryan Wingo, Kobe Black, and Brandon Baker – each of whom can help bolster positions of need from last season.

Combine that with the experienced talent on the roster, as well as the number of elite transfers coming in, and it is no wonder the Horns are one of the favorites to make the SEC Championship game and the CFP.

You can see On3’s full top-25 below (SEC teams in bold):

1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Oregon
4. Texas
5. Alabama
6. Ole Miss
7. Notre Dame
8. Michigan
9. Penn State
10. Missouri
11. LSU
12. Utah
13. Oklahoma
14. Kansas State
15. Tennessee
16. Florida State
17. Clemson
18. Miami
19. Oklahoma State
20. Kansas
21. Louisville
22. NC State
23. Texas A&M
24. Arizona
25. SMU

READ MORE:

 Longhorns’ Steve McMichael Talks ALS Battle Amid Journey to Hall of Fame – Tracker

Keep up to date with all the latest news surrounding the Texas Longhorns and college football.

FEB 11 LONGHORNS LEGEND TALKS ALS BATTLE Texas Longhorns legend and former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 on Thursday at NFL Honors.

But amid his lengthy journey to Canton, McMichael has been battling ALS since announcing his diagnosis in April 2021.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared an emotional mini-documentary of McMichael detailing his journey with the disease.

Take a look: