Texas opens the 2026 season with a clear chance for a few players to change their standing before the schedule tightens up. The Longhorns host Texas State in the opener, then turn around and welcome Ohio State the following week, so this first game offers more than just a warmup. It gives a handful of players a real shot to shape the depth chart.
Up front, the focus falls on Laurence Seymore and Sikorski as Texas sorts through a new-look offensive line. Seymore is on pace to start against the Bobcats, but Sikorski has also taken first-team reps during fall camp. That competition has been part of the plan, with both players trying to separate themselves while the staff works to settle on the best five.
Sikorski brings flexibility as a swing interior lineman who can play guard or center, which makes him a useful depth option for the group. He also brings experience, something Texas may value even more with Ohio State looming and bringing one of the best defensive fronts in the country to Austin.
For Sikorski, the path to making a move is straightforward: play clean, and take advantage of whatever opening he gets. Seymore’s performance matters just as much in that battle.
The secondary has its own competition worth watching. Black and Derek Williams Jr. were locked in a heated position battle this fall, and at first it looked like Williams had the edge to lose. That still seems to be the case, but the job is not necessarily locked up week to week if the production doesn’t match the expectation against a team like Texas State.
Black should see snaps in the opener, and that could matter. If he makes the most of those reps, Texas could end up with two reliable safeties instead of one. That would give the Longhorns a chance to keep both players involved, preserve a rotation, and maybe even shift the depth chart a bit.
Williams has been a constant topic of discussion because of his status as a two-sport athlete. Balancing both has always been a challenge, and after an injury during baseball season, there were questions about how he would respond on the football side and whether it was time to choose one sport over the other. Instead, he answered with what was described as one of his best camps since arriving on campus, and he turned heads repeatedly throughout fall camp.
Jelani McDonald is still the solidified starter and will undoubtedly remain a key part of the defense, but Williams has shown enough talent that Texas won’t want him sitting on the sideline. If he makes the most of his opportunities, the Longhorns gain more depth and more ways to mix and match their defensive looks.
In Other News...
Texas Fans Just Got A New NFL Bragging Rights List
Roster cutdown day brought a fresh talking point for Texas fans, and it comes with plenty of SEC- and NFL-level bragging rights. After the 2026 league roster cuts, 41 former Longhorns landed on initial 53-man rosters across 22 teams, a reminder of just how deep the programs pro pipeline has become. Denver leads the way with five ex-Texas players, including quarterback Sam Ehlinger, while names like Bijan Robinson in Atlanta keep the Longhorn presence visible in some of the leagues biggest markets.
There is also a newer layer to the story, with several Texas rookies surviving the cut and earning active roster spots right away. Not every former Longhorn fared as well, though, with players such as Jaydon Blue among those waived as teams trimmed down. For Texas, the bigger picture is hard to miss: the schools reach in the NFL is broad, and this roster snapshot gives fans another list to point to when the pro game starts up again. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Coleman Could Change How Dangerous Texas Looks Around Arch Manning
Arch Manning has had no shortage of attention this offseason, but one of the more interesting developments in Texas fall camp has been the early chemistry he is building with transfer wide receiver Cam Coleman. Steve Sarkisian has been praising Colemans approach since he arrived from Auburn, pointing to a player who is not just talented, but intentional about how he fits into the Longhorns offense.
Coleman came to Texas looking for a chance to learn an NFL-style system, and that mindset has shown up in the way he has worked to absorb the playbook and connect with Manning. With the team preparing for the 2026 season, the Longhorns are clearly hoping that level of buy-in translates into a more dangerous passing game, and Colemans ability to adapt may end up mattering as much as his raw ability. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Womens Golf Is Getting National Respect Before The Season Starts
Before a shot has been struck in the new season, Texas womens golf is already drawing national notice. Golf Channels preseason All-America teams included Farah OKeefe on the First Team, Lauren Kim on the Second Team, Charlotte Naughton on the Third Team and Isla McDonald-OBrien with honorable mention, a sign that the Longhorns enter the year with a roster full of players who are already on the sports radar.
The team recognition has been just as strong, with Texas ranked No. 3 in the preseason polls. Naughton added another layer to the buzz by also landing on the First Team All-Freshman list, which only sharpens the expectation around a program that does not need much help looking formidable. The early praise is a reminder that Texas is not just trying to meet standards this season, it is carrying them. [Read more 🡒]