As we gear up for the Texas Longhorns' 2026 season opener against the Texas State Bobcats, the buzz around the team is palpable. With high expectations reminiscent of last year's, all eyes are on quarterback Arch Manning. After a strong debut season, Manning is not just seen as a leader on the field but also as a potential Heisman contender heading into the new season.
A key component to any quarterback's success is a reliable offensive line, and Manning will be relying heavily on a seasoned group to keep him upright. Enter Laurence Seymore, a senior left guard making his fourth collegiate stop, now with the Longhorns after a stint with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Seymore's journey has been one of resilience and adaptability, and his arrival in Austin is seen as a significant boost to the line's depth and experience.
Manning recently shared his thoughts on Seymore during the Manning Passing Academy, emphasizing the guard's professional approach and veteran presence. "Laurence has a pro mindset," Manning remarked.
"He's an older guy, a serious dude. A guy you want on your team."
Seymore's maturity and experience are expected to blend well with the Longhorns' veteran line, especially after missing spring practice due to eligibility issues.
Building chemistry on the offensive line is no small feat, but the Longhorns have the advantage of returning several veteran players. This continuity could ease Seymore's transition as fall camp approaches, allowing him to quickly acclimate to the team's dynamics and the demands of SEC play.
The Longhorns' offensive line allowed 23 sacks last season-a number they'd like to improve upon as they aim for a standout year. The team's success will largely hinge on Manning's performance, and ensuring he has the protection he needs is paramount.
Seymore's quick adaptation to the SEC's rigorous playstyle will be crucial. With leadership from Manning and senior center Connor Robertson, Seymore is well-positioned to thrive in his new role. As the season approaches, the Longhorns look to harness their collective experience and talent, setting the stage for what could be a memorable campaign.
In Other News...
Texas May Be Closing In On A Rare Five-Star Lineman
Texas has been working hard to land five-star offensive lineman Ismael Camara, and the interest makes sense when you look at the profile. At 6-foot-6 and 345 pounds, Camara brings the kind of size and athleticism that can change an offensive line, along with the flexibility that lets evaluators imagine him fitting in multiple spots. The Longhorns have treated him like a priority target, and after recently bringing him to campus for an official visit, they have every reason to feel better about where things stand than they did a few weeks ago.
Camaras recruitment is getting extra attention because the usual timeline does not apply here. He is moving through high school on an accelerated schedule, which makes his path to college more complicated than most blue-chip linemen and leaves programs trying to balance urgency with planning. Texas is also intrigued by how quickly he could help once he arrives, which is part of why this is becoming one of the more interesting front-burner battles to watch. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Sounds Like A Different Threat For Texas In 2026
Arch Mannings first season as Texas starting quarterback came with the usual growing pains, but it also gave the Longhorns a clearer picture of what he can become. He talked through an uneven start, then pointed to the way he settled in late in 2025, when the game started slowing down and his own comfort level grew. Manning also sounded focused on the broader job now in front of him, from handling leadership to carrying the lessons of a year that asked a lot of him.
The bigger takeaway for Texas is that Manning appears to be entering 2026 with a different body and a different edge. He said an offseason of physical changes followed foot surgery and helped reshape how he looks and feels going into the next season, while his comments on teammates and his preparation suggested a quarterback more intent on direction than hype. For a program that has been waiting to see what his second act looks like, the early signs are that the next version may be stronger, steadier and harder to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Texas May Have Found The Defender This Unit Desperately Needed
Texas had a clear need to address the middle of its defense after Anthony Hill Jr.s draft opened a spot that mattered plenty in a room built to play fast and punish mistakes. The answer arrived in the form of Rasheem Biles, who is transferring in from Pittsburgh with the kind of resume that makes a staff feel a lot better about how the next defense will be stitched together.
Biles is coming off a breakout 2025 season that turned heads well beyond Pittsburgh, and the Longhorns are betting that production travels. He arrives with a chance to be an immediate difference-maker in Austin, and with NFL evaluators already paying attention, the stakes around his move are bigger than just one roster hole. [Read more 🡒]