While a double-digit win total usually signals a program’s health, the 2025 campaign for Texas felt like a frustrating “what if.” Entering the year with Arch Manning at the helm and a preseason No. 1 ranking, the Longhorns were the trendy pick to dominate the new-look SEC. Instead, they found themselves on the outside looking in during the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff. For a program that was a strip-sack away from a national title berth just a year prior, the 10-3 finish in 2025 was a sobering reminder that hype doesn’t always translate to hardware.
As we look toward 2026, the blueprint for a Texas “bounce-back” is already in motion. The goal is no longer just winning games—it is closing the gap between being a high-level contender and becoming the gold standard of the conference.
How 2025 fell flat for Texas
The cracks in the Longhorns’ armor didn’t appear immediately. A hard-fought loss to Ohio State early in the season was defensible, but the wheels truly wobbled during a road trip to Gainesville. Facing a Florida squad that many expected to struggle, Texas was bullied at the line of scrimmage. Arch Manning, despite his pedigree, spent much of the afternoon running for his life, suffering six sacks and constant pressure. That game exposed a revolving door at left guard and a lack of cohesion at center that haunted the offense for the duration of the season.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian pointed to a lack of “rhythm and trust” among an inexperienced offensive line. While Manning eventually found his footing individually, the unit’s inability to protect him against elite pass rushes limited the playbook’s vertical potential.
The narrative of “almost but not quite” was cemented against Georgia in November. Despite keeping the game within reach for three quarters, the Longhorns were undone by coaching decisions and execution errors in high-leverage moments. Whether it was failing to stop a fourth-and-short or falling for a surprise onside kick, the gap between Texas and the Georgia “standard” was evident. It was the third time in just over a year that the Bulldogs had out-muscled the Longhorns, leaving Sarkisian to lobby the CFP committee for a spot that never came. While a New Year’s Eve bowl win over Michigan provided some momentum, it was a hollow consolation for a team that expected to be playing for a trophy in mid-January.
How the Longhorns used the portal to address key needs
Sarkisian didn’t waste time in the offseason, turning to the transfer portal to inject elite talent into the roster. The most significant win was landing wide receiver Cam Coleman from Auburn. Coleman, a physical specimen who struggled with inconsistent quarterback play on the Plains, represents the true No. 1 target Manning lacked in 2025. If Coleman can replicate the trajectory of other elite wideouts in Sarkisian’s system, the Texas passing game could become the most feared in the SEC.
The backfield also saw a massive transition. After four scholarship backs departed via the portal, Texas missed out on Jadan Baugh but pivoted quickly to secure Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State). This “lighting and lightning” duo offers more versatility in the passing game and gives the offense a dynamic edge that was missing during the middle stretches of 2025.
However, the offensive line remains the biggest question mark. While Trevor Goosby is a cornerstone at left tackle, the interior is still a work in progress. The staff is betting big on Laurence Seymour, a sixth-year veteran from Western Kentucky, to stabilize the guard position. The fact that depth concerns forced the cancellation of the spring game suggests that while the front-line talent is there, the Longhorns are one or two injuries away from a repeat of the Florida disaster.
2026 Texas transfer portal class 🏈
- Cam Coleman (WR): Auburn transfer expected to be Manning’s primary deep threat.
- Hollywood Smothers (RB): Explosive runner from NC State to lead the committee.
- Raleek Brown (RB): Arizona State speedster used in hybrid roles.
- Will Muschamp (DC/HC of Defense): A massive addition to the coaching staff to oversee the unit.
- Rasheem Biles (LB): Pitt transfer tasked with filling the void in the middle of the defense.
- Melvin Siani & Jonte Newman (OL): Added depth to a unit searching for a consistent rotation.
Sarkisian loosens up on defense
Perhaps the most impactful move of the offseason wasn’t a player, but the hiring of Will Muschamp as the “head coach of the defense.” In modern college football, play-calling head coaches often find themselves stretched too thin. By bringing in a veteran like Muschamp—who has been a head coach at both Florida and South Carolina—Sarkisian is effectively delegating the entire defensive side of the ball.
This move allows Sarkisian to sit with Manning and the quarterbacks during defensive series, refining the offensive strategy in real-time rather than juggling headset channels. It’s a move designed to avoid the “play-calling fatigue” that has plagued other high-profile coaches in the league. Muschamp’s immediate task is fixing a secondary that enters 2026 with no clear-cut starters at the cornerback spots. While the defensive line returns stars like Collin Simmons, the back end must improve if Texas hopes to survive the SEC’s gauntlet of elite receivers.
Closing Remarks
The 2026 season represents a “chips-in” moment for Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns. With Arch Manning likely entering his final collegiate season before the NFL, the window for this specific core is narrow. The talent is undeniable, and the coaching staff has been bolstered by championship-level experience. If the offensive line can hold up and the secondary finds its identity under Muschamp, Texas will not need to lobby for a playoff spot—they will be the ones everyone else is trying to avoid. The floor remains a respectable nine or ten wins, but for the Forty Acres, anything short of a deep playoff run will be viewed as an unfinished story.
