Wake Forest’s Melvin Siani, one of the ACC’s top offensive tackles, has officially entered the transfer portal - and he’s doing it with a “do not contact” tag attached. That’s a key detail.
In portal speak, it means Siani already has a destination in mind, or at least a very short list. He’s not looking to be recruited - he’s looking to make a move on his terms.
Now, while that tag might seem like a roadblock for some programs, it doesn’t necessarily shut the door for a team like Texas. In fact, the Longhorns should absolutely be in the conversation here. Steve Sarkisian and his staff have made it clear they’re aggressively targeting offensive line help this offseason, and Siani fits the mold of what they’ve been chasing.
Let’s talk about the kind of player we’re dealing with. Siani started at left tackle for Wake Forest and put together a rock-solid season.
He allowed zero sacks across 859 snaps and earned an 80.7 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus - that’s top-tier production, especially in a conference known for its defensive talent. He’s a technician with a strong base and clean footwork, and he brings a level of consistency that’s hard to find in the portal.
Texas has already shown interest in high-profile tackles this cycle, including Colorado’s Jordan Seaton. While nothing has materialized on that front yet, the fact that the Longhorns are swinging big at the position tells you everything you need to know about their offseason priorities. If Seaton is the top tackle still uncommitted, Siani is right there in the next tier - and arguably the most plug-and-play option available.
If Siani does end up in Austin, the early projection would be a shift to right tackle, allowing rising star Trevor Goosby to stay locked in on the blind side. That would likely push Brandon Baker - a highly touted recruit from the previous cycle - inside to right guard. That kind of move isn’t uncommon, especially when a coaching staff feels a player may be better suited for interior work after some struggles in pass protection on the edge.
It’s also possible that moving Baker inside was already part of the plan. Texas has been recruiting offensive tackles at a high clip, and that level of activity suggests they’re looking to reshape the line with more natural edge protectors. Whether it’s performance-based or a matter of fit, the Longhorns are clearly trying to build a front five that can hold up against the elite pass rushers they’ll face in the SEC.
Bottom line: Siani is a proven commodity at one of the most valuable positions on the field, and players like that don’t come around often. Texas is in the market, and Siani checks a lot of boxes. If the fit is right - and if the “do not contact” tag doesn’t exclude the Longhorns - this could be a major addition for a program looking to take the next step in the trenches.
Stay tuned. The 2026 transfer portal cycle is just heating up, and the offensive line dominoes are starting to fall.