August is creeping closer, and with it comes another season of sky-high expectations for Texas.
That part is nothing new for Steve Sarkisian. At Texas, the pressure comes with the job every year. But if the Longhorns are going to live up to it in 2026, they’ll need to be better in a few key spots than they were a season ago.
Three position groups stand out as looking especially different.
Up front, Texas made a clear push to upgrade the offensive line through the transfer portal. Tackle Melvin Siani and guard Laurence Seymore could end up being the new faces charged with protecting quarterback Arch Manning. The group also brings back left tackle Trevor Goosby and center Connor Robertson, giving the Longhorns a mix of new talent and returning experience.
At linebacker, the biggest addition is former Pittsburgh standout Rasheem Biles. He was a force for the Panthers over the last two seasons, and Texas is hoping he can bring that same kind of presence to the middle of its defense. Ty'Anthony Smith and Brad Spence return as important pieces, but Biles is the one who can raise the ceiling of the entire unit.
The running back room may be the most intriguing portal haul of all. Former NC State back Hollywood Smothers and Arizona State runner Raleek Brown are expected to form what could be the best one-two punch in the country.
If Texas wants to take pressure off Manning and the passing game, this is the kind of ground attack that can do it. Sarkisian clearly went all in on adding backfield talent.
Those three groups should be major factors in 2026, but they may not be the only ones pushing Texas forward. The wide receiver room could wind up being the best in the country, and even though it’s a one-man unit, the Longhorns are also expecting big things from QB1.
It could be a special fall in Austin.
In Other News...
Texas Awaits Massive Decision From Elite In-State Sarkisian Target
Landen Williams-Callis is set to make one of the biggest recruiting calls in the state on Saturday, with the Richmond Randle High School star choosing between Texas, SMU, Texas A&M, Houston and Missouri. The five-star running back has spent his prep career piling up records and accolades, and his rise has made him one of the most closely followed prospects in Texas high school football history.
For Texas, the interest is obvious. Sarkisian and his staff have chased elite in-state talent aggressively, and Williams-Callis sits near the top of that board as the No. 3 running back in the country. His announcement will be carried live by Dave Campbell's Texas Football, adding another layer to a decision that already feels like a major swing moment for the Longhorns' 2026 recruiting picture. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Just Got An Unexpected Late Offseason Roster Opportunity
A late offseason roster wrinkle has opened up for Texas, and it could give the Longhorns another look at a group of familiar names from the 2022 recruiting class. A federal ruling in Colorado created the possibility that players who used their final year of eligibility last season can be eligible again, which immediately put a few Texas veterans back into the conversation as the program continues sorting out its 2026 depth picture.
For Texas, the practical impact is simple: there are several players who could wind up back in Austin if their pro paths do not stick. Burke, Hutson, Guilbeau and Finkley are among the Longhorns whose situations are worth tracking, especially since some have already signed undrafted free agent deals and may still choose the NFL route if they make final rosters. It is not a certainty, but it is the kind of late-summer development that can quietly change a teams roster math in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Roster Crunch Leaves Former Contributor In A Brutal Spot
Chendall Weavers path back to Texas has hit a hard roster wall. The former Longhorns guard was granted an extra year of eligibility, a development that would normally create a chance to continue where he left off, but the numbers on the roster have already closed that door. Texas has moved on from that possibility as Sean Millers team fills out its scholarship chart for the upcoming season.
The final spot went to Marcus Spears Jr., whose accelerated arrival gave Texas the last available opening on a 15-scholarship roster. With that in place, Weaver has to look elsewhere even after his previous contributions to the program, a reminder of how quickly roster management can change in the modern game and how little margin there is once a team is full. [Read more 🡒]