Fall camp is where rosters get sorted out, and Texas has plenty of questions waiting to be answered. With the Longhorns already loaded across the board, the next few weeks are less about finding talent and more about identifying who can force the issue in front of Steve Sarkisian and the staff.
One of the most intriguing names in that mix is freshman five-star cornerback Meredith III. He reclassified to join Texas this season, even though he should still be getting ready for his senior year of high school.
He is not expected to jump onto the field immediately, but this stretch matters because it gives him a chance to adjust to the college game and start building toward what he can become. The talent is obvious.
The rest is about development.
At wide receiver, Lockett is another player with something to prove. He got into three games last season and finished the bowl game against Michigan with two catches, 35 yards and a touchdown.
The room around him is crowded, with Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V established as the top three. Still, if Lockett makes a strong impression, he could carve out a bigger role.
He also missed spring ball because of a leg injury, but he now appears healthy and ready for 2026.
Tight end is another spot worth watching, and Townsend could be right in the middle of that battle. He saw limited action last season, yet the 6'3" tight end has real upside.
If he separates himself over the next few weeks, he could push for the starting job. Michael Masunas and Spencer Shannon may handle blocking situations, but Townsend has a chance to grow into a receiving option.
Texas also needs a second edge threat to rise next to Colin Simmons, and Jackson is a name to watch there. His spot is not locked in, which makes this camp especially important. If he can consistently get after the quarterback, that only makes the Longhorns’ defense more dangerous, especially with Simmons drawing so much attention from opposing offensive lines.
Another freshman with an opportunity to climb is Atkinson. Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp can feel good about Rasheem Biles and Ty'Anthony Smith at linebacker, but Atkinson still has a path to playing time.
If he can stand out in a particular area, possibly as a pass rusher, he could work his way into the rotation. A starting role is not the expectation, but that does not mean a meaningful role is out of reach.
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Marcus Spears Jr. Is Giving Texas Fans A Reason To Dream
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Sean Miller also has reason to feel encouraged by the way the rest of the group is coming together. Returning center Matas Vokietaitis has been praised for his physical condition, and the backcourt has another welcome development with Isaiah Johnson back on the floor after his thumb injury, giving Texas a fuller picture of what this roster could look like once everything starts to click. [Read more 🡒]