Texas has most of its roster questions already sorted out heading into 2026, but one of the biggest ones still hangs over the secondary as fall camp approaches.
The Longhorns open the season against Texas State on September 5, and with the start of camp drawing closer, the defensive backfield is the spot that still needs the clearest answers. Texas is bringing back a roster that many fans and college football analysts expect to rank among the best in the country, but the secondary is in flux after losing three starters from last season.
That turnover starts at cornerback and safety. Texas is moving into 2026 without Malik Muhammad, Jaylon Guilbeau and Michael Taaffe, all of whom were key pieces in the back end.
At corner, sophomore Kade Phillips looks positioned to step into one of the starting outside jobs after winning the role late in 2025. The other side is less settled. Sophomore Graceson Littleton started at nickel as a freshman, but new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp could keep him inside or push him outside opposite Phillips.
Bo Mascoe gives Texas another option with real experience. The incoming transfer was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2025 and could plug in quickly at the Power 4 level. Like Littleton, though, Mascoe may end up either on the outside or inside depending on how Muschamp wants to line things up.
Behind that group, Texas has more bodies to work with in Kobe Black, Warren Roberson, Wardell Mack and freshman Samari Matthews. So the cornerback room is not short on talent. The issue is sorting out the exact fit.
Safety is the other major puzzle. Jelani McDonald is set on one side, but Texas still has to identify who claims the spot next to him.
Derek Williams Jr. is one possibility, and Xavier Filsaime also got plenty of playing time in his second season in Austin. Jonah Williams could also enter the mix if he’s healthy after seeing a few snaps in 2025.
That leaves Muschamp with real competition to sort through before the season kicks off. The pieces are there, but one of them still has to separate and lock down the job.
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