The Texas Longhorns are trying to make sure 2026 looks nothing like the season that came before it.
Last year, the offense was supposed to be the headliner. Instead, it never really found the gear Texas wanted.
The unit lacked explosiveness, young players had trouble smoothing out the rough edges, and even Arch Manning ran into his share of growing pains. Veterans, meanwhile, didn’t consistently match the level they’d shown in earlier seasons.
That’s why the Longhorns attacked the transfer portal with a clear mission: bring in offensive players who could change the shape of the unit, not just patch holes. Texas came out of that window with one of the best classes in the country, and the focus was obvious. This group was built around playmakers who could add both versatility and juice.
The biggest reason Texas believes the offense can take a leap is that the roster now looks better equipped to handle the same problems that dragged it down before. The Longhorns had real work to do up front after several offensive linemen ran out of eligibility, and they also had to replace key departures at the skill positions after the final game against Michigan. Running backs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter, along with wide receivers Deandre Moore Jr. and Parker Livingstone, all entered the transfer portal.
But Texas didn’t just look for bodies. It looked for upgrades.
That starts with protection for Manning, who dealt with heavy heat all season. He was pressured on 157 of his dropbacks in 2025, and that kind of stress tends to wreck any chance at a smooth, explosive passing game. To address that, the Longhorns brought in an offensive line that should fit their needs better, pairing returners like left tackle Trevor Goosby, center Connor Robertson and returning right guard Brandon Baker with additions Laurence Seymore at left guard and Melvin Siani at right tackle.
The changes aren’t limited to the line. Texas also added more size in the backfield, and that could matter just as much. Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers are bigger than the Longhorns’ previous starting backs, giving the offense more help in pass protection and more power when it comes to working through defensive fronts if the line has issues again.
Then there’s the downfield element. Wide receiver Cam Coleman gives Manning the kind of target Texas didn’t have enough of in the passing game last season. He joins returners Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley, plus tight end Nick Townsend, and that combination gives the Longhorns a much broader set of answers on offense.
Put it all together, and Texas looks built to be difficult to pin down. There’s more protection for Manning, more mass in the run game, and more options in the passing attack. The Longhorns believe that mix can finally give them an offense that matches the rest of the team.
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Texas Just Lost A Blue Chip Commit Fans Thought Was Safe
Texas 2027 recruiting push took a hit when four-star safety Greedy James changed course after originally pledging to the Longhorns in December. The move came after weeks of speculation, and it is the kind of flip that can sting even when a class is still sitting near the top of the national board.
Even with James gone, Texas is not exactly scrambling to recover. The Longhorns still own a highly regarded 2027 group that remains among the best in the country and near the top of the SEC, which is why this one feels more like a warning sign than a collapse. But losing a blue-chip defender who had been viewed as part of the foundation is the sort of development that keeps a recruiting staff busy long after the headlines fade. [Read more 🡒]
Marcus Spears Jr. Just Gave Sean Miller A Huge Texas Moment
Texas basketball has spent the past few years searching for the kind of momentum that can steady a program through coaching turnover and uneven results, and Sean Miller just got a significant boost on the recruiting trail. Marcus Spears Jr., one of the more highly regarded frontcourt prospects in the country, has committed to the Longhorns, giving Texas another cornerstone piece as it tries to build a roster that can hold up in the SEC and eventually make noise in March.
Spears Jr. picked Texas over Arizona, Kentucky and LSU, a win that matters well beyond one signing. The Longhorns have already put together a strong recruiting class and added transfers, and this is the sort of addition that can change the way a roster looks in the seasons ahead, especially in a league where size and depth are never optional. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Fans Wont Believe What A Rival Coach Said About Sarkisian
Big 12 Media Days usually bring their share of sharp edges between in-state rivals, but Joey McGuire took a different tone when the conversation turned to Steve Sarkisian. The Texas Tech coach made it clear he respects what Sarkisian has built in Austin, pointing to the kind of sustained success that has been hard to find at Texas for a long stretch.
For Longhorn fans, the praise lands with extra weight because it comes from across the Red River rivalry line and arrives after Texas has put together consecutive College Football Playoff trips while also navigating the move to the SEC. McGuire acknowledged how difficult the rebuild has been, which is part of what makes the compliment stand out even more, especially with the two programs still operating in the same heated conference landscape. [Read more 🡒]