With the 2026 college football season closing in, Texas has spent the offseason dealing with the usual turnover that comes with the NFL draft and the transfer portal. Steve Sarkisian is heading into his sixth year in Austin, and the Longhorns look built to give him a big one.
Arch Manning has found the form plenty of people expected from him, and Colin Simmons is set to enter his third season already established as one of the nation’s top defenders. But there’s another Texas player ready to step into a bigger spotlight, especially with his senior season here.
That player is McDonald.
McDonald led the Longhorns in 2025 with 80 total tackles and three interceptions, and while he may not be the first name that comes to mind when people talk about Texas’ defense, he is now in line to become the next leader of the secondary after Michael Taffee moved on to the pros.
"I've had that my whole football career, being that guy to get everyone going," McDonald said in a Thursday afternoon press conference. "I take full responsibility as being a leader in the secondary this year."
He also spoke about keeping the group locked in and not letting outside criticism get into the room.
"I just make sure that we keep that tunnel vision and just making sure that we're on top of everything whether it's our weight, our plays, just things like that," the safety said. "Just making sure that we're technical, sound, and making sure that we take care of the small details."
McDonald already showed what he can do during his breakout junior year. One of his biggest moments came in Texas’ 45-38 overtime win over Mississippi State in Starkville, when he piled up 14 tackles.
He finished the season strong, too, combining for 16 tackles against Texas A&M and in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan.
Colin Simmons should be spectacular for Texas this season, and McDonald looks ready to be right there with him.
Texas opens the 2026 season at home against Texas State on September 5 at DKR.
In Other News...
Texas May Have Found A Bigger Linebacker Answer Than Expected
Texas spent the offseason looking for answers at linebacker after losing key pieces Anthony Hill and Liona Lefau, and one of the most intriguing additions arrived from an unexpected place. Rasheem Biles, an all-ACC linebacker from Pittsburgh, has quickly become part of the conversation in early fall camp, bringing the kind of experience and production that can steady a defense while a staff sorts out new roles and responsibilities.
What makes Biles especially valuable is that he does not profile as a typical depth pickup. He arrives with significant starting experience and a reputation as a unique fit for coordinator Will Muschamps defense, which is why the early buzz around him has been so strong inside the program. For a Texas defense trying to replace proven linebacking help, landing a player who already knows how to perform at a high level could prove to be one of the quieter but more important moves of camp. [Read more 🡒]
Jermaine Bishop Jr. Could Force Texas To Rethink A Crowded Receiver Rotation
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Steve Sarkisian has made it clear Bishop is concentrating on wide receiver, though he has also taken some work at defensive back. For Texas, the appeal is less about forcing him into one defined role right away and more about how his skill set could fit wherever the offense needs help, whether that is in the slot or in heavier four-receiver looks. With the roster shifting around him, Bishops path to snaps may depend as much on how Texas chooses to deploy its wideouts as on where he lines up first. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Gets A Timely Texas Camp Boost Up Front
With fall camp getting underway, Texas picked up a useful piece up front as veteran offensive lineman Cole Hutson officially rejoined the roster after reaching an agreement with the NCAA on his eligibility. The interior lineman brings real experience to a group that can use it, having started 23 games across multiple spots inside and giving the Longhorns another seasoned body as the competition period begins.
Hutson had been away from the programs plans while he pursued a fifth season through the courts, so his return changes the picture for Steve Sarkisian's front. Sarkisian has already pointed to Hutsons background and the value it can bring, and for a Texas offense trying to settle the line early in camp, getting that kind of presence back in the building matters. [Read more 🡒]