Blogging The Boys
Every week here at Blogging the Boys, we’ll spotlight the biggest college matchups and the players who could soon wear the Star. If you want to get a jump on who might help America’s Team in the years to come, this is your weekly college football guide.
The number one ranked team, the Texas Longhorns, takes on the number three ranked team, the Ohio State Buckeyes, in an absolute stormer for Week 1 in the college football calendar. This feels more like a playoff game after both teams met in the CFP last season, and Texas will be seeking redemption from Ohio State after losing in the semifinal. The Longhorns usher in a new era with Arch Manning, arguably the highest-profile quarterback prospect in college football history, making his first start of the season against the Buckeyes. Meanwhile, Ohio State is working with a new quarterback in Julian Sayin, as well as revamped offensive and defensive coordinators.
What makes this game so huge is Texas wants to flip last year’s playoff script, and a win would validate Arch Manning and their direction to kickstart their playoff campaign. For Ohio State, a win here would prove they are ahead of curve in the college football arms race, with massive NIL expenditure that was put into place and help the team get recognition as playoff favorites.
Texas:
Arch Manning, QB
Let’s get the obvious one out the way here. Does Manning play the 2025 season and declare for the draft? It’s unlikely. But this game will be an interesting start on his journey to 2026, and a great test to see what the quarterback prodigy actually looks like after a year of quietly waiting and watching. Can he handle the pressure or is it all too much? The Buckeyes will certainly be out for blood on this one.
Anthony Hill Jr, LB
Hill delivered an outstanding 2024 season with 113 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He possesses elite football instincts, reacting quickly and avoiding being deceived by misdirection. He’s adept sideline-to-sideline, disrupting screens and perimeter plays, and flashes strong blitzing ability. While engaged, Hill finishes strongly and his strength is clear, but refining his contact technique when facing good offensive linemen could elevate his game further. Getting better in coverage, especially covering tight ends is a huge area he needs to work on this year.
Malik Muhammad, CB
Muhammad is a naturally gifted and versatile cornerback who blends fluid athleticism with technical polish. He moves with excellent hip flexibility, smooth backpedal, and explodes out of breaks with elite closing speed—traits that make him effective in both press-man and zone schemes.
Muhammad isn’t without areas to refine. He occasionally opens...
