Arch Manning’s decision to take a pay cut heading into next season wasn’t just about clearing cap space in the NIL era - it was about building something bigger. And now, with Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman officially in the transfer portal, the opportunity to elevate Texas’ offense to another level is staring the Longhorns right in the face.
Coleman, a 6-foot-3, 201-pound sophomore with elite upside, should be considered the No. 1 wideout available in the portal. His combination of size, athleticism, and production - despite playing in a turbulent Auburn program - makes him the kind of game-changer Texas desperately needs. If the Longhorns want to make a serious push in 2026, this is the move that could unlock everything.
Why Coleman Makes Sense for Texas
Let’s be honest - this Texas offense had its moments, but it never quite reached the heights fans were hoping for. After entering the season as the AP preseason No. 1, the Longhorns fell short of making a third straight College Football Playoff appearance. At 9-3 heading into the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Michigan, there’s plenty to build on - but also plenty to fix.
Arch Manning, in his first full season as the starter, showed growth. He threw for 2,942 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven picks, but his 61.4% completion rate tells part of the story: the passing game wasn’t always in sync.
Some of that falls on Manning. But a lot of it?
That’s about the weapons around him - or lack thereof.
Texas never truly replaced Matthew Golden, who led the team in receiving last year before heading to the NFL. This season, sophomore Ryan Wingo stepped into the WR1 role and finished with 770 yards on 50 catches. Solid numbers, but he struggled with consistency, including a career-high seven drops, per Pro Football Focus.
DeAndre Moore Jr., the team’s second-leading receiver, is already on his way out via the portal after a 532-yard, four-touchdown campaign. That leaves a gaping hole in the wide receiver room - and a perfect opportunity for someone like Coleman to step in.
What Coleman Brings to the Table
Coleman isn’t just another portal name. He’s a future first-rounder in the 2027 NFL Draft conversation. This season, he racked up 708 yards and five touchdowns, ranking top 20 in the SEC in both categories - all while navigating one of the most unstable quarterback situations in the conference.
Auburn cycled through Jackson Arnold, Ashton Daniels, and Deuce Knight under center, and the offense never found its rhythm. Head coach Hugh Freeze was dismissed midseason, and Alex Golesh was brought in to clean up the mess. Through it all, Coleman kept producing - a testament to his talent and resilience.
Now imagine him catching passes from Manning in Steve Sarkisian’s offense. That’s not just a good fit - that’s fireworks waiting to happen. Sarkisian has a track record of maximizing elite wideouts, and Coleman’s ability to stretch the field, win contested catches, and create after the catch would immediately make him the focal point of the Longhorns’ passing attack.
Manning’s Sacrifice Could Pay Off
In today’s college football landscape, NIL money is part of the roster-building equation. And while Texas boasts one of the most powerful collectives in the nation, there’s still strategy involved. Manning’s pay cut heading into 2026 wasn’t just a gesture - it was a calculated move to help the program attract top-tier talent.
If that move helps Texas land a player like Coleman, the value speaks for itself. It’s not just about stats or highlight reels - it’s about giving your quarterback the tools he needs to succeed. And right now, Coleman looks like the missing piece.
Texas has the infrastructure. They have the quarterback.
They have the coach. Now they need the weapon.
And Cam Coleman might just be the one who turns potential into production - and hype into hardware.