Edge Rusher for the Texas Longhorns Trey Moore has announced that he will return to the team in 2025. Multiple sources have reported on his return to the Longhorns. Additionally, the deadlines for both the transfer portal and the NFL Draft have passed and he has a year of eligibility left. His 2024 stats reflect an incredibly strong push forward, especially during the postseason. Moore will undoubtedly notch some killer stats next season to finish his collegiate career.
Trey Moore + Texas = 2026 CFP?
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Moore had first considered the NFL Draft. Thamel claims Moore will be a top edge rusher in college football. He’s not wrong. This past season was a solid one for Moore. He recorded the fourth-most sacks on the team at 5.5. He is also the only defender with multiple fumble recoveries and multiple forced fumbles. He started all 15 games of his Texas career after transferring from UTSA.
Trey Moore began his college football career at UTSA before transferring to Texas in Spring 2024. His stats page reflects an impressive display of skills developed. In San Antonio, Moore garnered accolades such as the 2023 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He still holds UTSA records for single-season sacks (14) and Tackles For Loss(18.) Since transferring to Texas, he’s certainly become a force to be reckoned with, especially in 2024.
Sports Illustrated pegged him as one of four Texas Longhorn defenders with 10.5 or more tackles for loss this season. His postseason performance was nothing to sneeze at either. In 2024, Trey Moore registered nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble in Texas’ three postseason games: vs. Georgia (12/7), Clemson (12/21), and Arizona State (1/1). In that Arizona State game, he also recorded a season-high two sacks.
Other Longhorns Decisions
Trey Moore is set to be a solid addition to the powerhouse of Texas football next season. He’ll be extremely effective alongside returning teammates Michael Taaffe and DJ Campbell. Multiple other Texas Longhorns have declared for the NFL Draft and will not be returning. Several players on the prospects list have declared, including Kelvin Banks, Jr, and Isaiah Bond. Add in Jaydon Blue and Cam Williams and the Longhorns have sustained some hard losses.
Gunnar Helm was not on the official list of 70 underclassmen who declared before the deadline. He announced his intent to declare in a lengthy, poignant statement on social media. This author will certainly miss him in burnt orange. All the best to these players as they move forward in their careers. Texas will have their work cut out for them during the offseason to be ready.
Final Thoughts
The return of Trey Moore means that Longhorn Nation can rest a little easier. He joins Texas Safety Michael Taaffe as part of the stellar Texas line. These stalwarts make up a solid part of the team’s attack strategy. A strategy that will only grow stronger next season to make up for their losses. Two players who will also not be returning with Moore are Quinn Ewers and Matthew Golden. They are, as expected, headed for the NFL Draft.
As January continues to shake out, we’ll see who else decides to stay behind. Regardless of what major news comes next, the Texas Longhorns are ramping up for 2025. It’s a bit early to make CFP predictions for next season, but their strength is evident. The Texas Longhorns will arguably be one of the top contenders again in the next College Football Playoffs. Trey Moore and the others are a big part of that.
