Texas finally put a depth chart on paper ahead of its matchup with Texas State, and the first look at Steve Sarkisian’s two-deep brought a handful of notable calls.
The biggest eyebrow-raiser comes at running back, where senior Hollywood Smothers is listed as the first co-starter alongside fifth-year back Raleek Brown. The chart also includes all six scholarship running backs for the first time, with sophomore Michael Terry III slotted No. 4.
There’s movement at receiver, too. At WR (H), sophomore Daylan McCutcheon is still ahead of freshman Jermaine Bishop, though the two are listed as co-starters.
At WR (Y), Cam Coleman leads the group with Sterling Berkhalter and Kohen Brown behind him. Ryan Wingo opens at X.
Tight end brought another surprise. Senior Spencer Shannon is listed first as a co-starter with fifth-year Michael Masunas at TE (Y), while at TE (H), sophomore Nick Townsend is the first co-starter with sophomore Emaree Winston.
Up front, sophomore Dylan Sikorski has moved ahead of sixth-year Laurence Seymore at left guard, with the two still treated as co-starters. Another small but notable shift has sophomore Devin Coleman listed ahead of senior Jaydon Chatman as a co-starter.
On the defensive side, junior Maraad Watson is the starter at one defensive tackle spot over junior Alex January. Sophomore Lance Jackson held off junior Zina Umeozulu at defensive end, and freshman linebacker Kosi Okpala is listed as the backup at weak-side linebacker after a strong preseason camp. Senior Colton Vasek is listed exclusively at strong-side linebacker.
In the secondary, junior Kobe Black is the starter at free safety over senior Derek Williams.
The depth chart also lists Arch Manning as the starting quarterback, with KJ Lacey and Dia Bell behind him. At left tackle, Trevor Goosby is first, and the special teams picture shows Gio Spetic handling kickoffs and field goals, Mac Chiumento listed at punter and holder, Trey Dubuc at deep snapper, Ryan Niblett and Jermaine Bishop on return duties.
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What makes the trip even more notable is the return to a venue where Texas has not played this matchup in generations, which only adds to the anticipation around a game that already carries plenty of name recognition. Tickets are already on the market too, with prices stretching from $350 to $1,650, a reminder that this one is expected to draw plenty of attention well before the teams actually get to Knoxville. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Coleman Could Be More Important To Texas Than Fans Realize
Cam Coleman is expected to make his Texas debut against Texas State, and the Longhorns appear eager to fold the transfer wideout into an offense that asks a lot more of its receivers than just running past defenders. Steve Sarkisian has said Coleman came to Austin wanting to learn a pro-style NFL system, one built around a full route tree and the kind of detail work that can speed up a young receivers development.
For Texas, that makes Coleman more than just another vertical target. The Longhorns want to use him downfield, but also in a broader mix of routes that should include digs, comebacks, deep curls and crossing patterns, giving him a chance to stress defenses in multiple ways. If he adapts quickly, he could become the sort of versatile piece that changes how opponents have to defend Texas every week. [Read more 🡒]