Texas got plenty of attention this offseason for Cam Coleman’s arrival in Austin, and deservedly so. But the quieter move might end up mattering just as much, if not more: linebacker Rasheem Biles.
With Will Muschamp back as defensive coordinator, linebacker was one of the biggest concerns on Texas’ defense entering the offseason. The secondary had its own issues after a down year, but the second level was staring at a real reset.
Anthony Hill, the All-American inside linebacker, left for the NFL Draft. Liona Lefau hit the transfer portal.
That left Texas without its two most experienced linebackers, and Ty’Anthony Smith was basically the lone established option.
That kind of turnover is a problem in Muschamp’s system, where linebackers are expected to do a little of everything - attack downhill, chase plays, rush the passer and handle coverage duties. Experience matters there, and Texas was short on it.
That’s why Biles may be such an important addition. The All-ACC linebacker from Pittsburgh is already drawing major praise from inside the program, even with fall camp only just getting underway. OrangeBloods reported that the buzz around him has been strong.
"He's not replaceable ... He's a 1 of 1 on our defense,” a member of the program told OrangeBloods.
The message from inside Texas is hard to miss: Biles is not being treated like just another portal pickup. He’s being talked about as a unique player, and that’s exactly the kind of label Longhorn fans want to hear after losing so much at linebacker.
Biles may not come with SEC experience, but he brings something Texas badly needed - a proven track record. In two seasons as a starter, he piled up 183 tackles, 31.5 for a loss, three interceptions, three returned for a touchdown,13 passes defended, and two fumbles recovered, with one returned for a score.
He saved his best season for last before entering the portal. In that career year, he posted 101 tackles, 17 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, four passes defended, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles.
That kind of production points to a defender who can affect the game in more ways than one. The source material even notes that his play-making ability goes beyond Hill’s at times, since Hill also worked as an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher.
At 6-foot-1 and 222 pounds, Biles has the size and traits to handle the MIKE linebacker role in Muschamp’s defense. If his previous output carries over to Austin, Texas may have found one of its most productive defenders almost by accident.
In Other News...
Jermaine Bishop Jr. Could Force Texas To Rethink A Crowded Receiver Rotation
Jermaine Bishop Jr. arrives in Austin with the kind of versatility that can complicate a depth chart in a hurry. The highly rated 2026 Texas wide receiver recruit has been used on both sides of the ball in high school, and his athletic profile gives the Longhorns another flexible piece to think about as they sort through a deep receiver room. Even on a roster with plenty of bodies, players who can move around the formation tend to create their own lane.
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 🡒]