NFL
The Texas Longhorns are ranked No. 5 nationally entering the season, and expectations for the program are high. Texas finished 10-3 in 2025 and closed the year strongly, but the season ended without a College Football Playoff appearance.
Offense
Now, with Arch Manning entering his second season as the starting quarterback, Colin Simmons returning to anchor the defense, and several major additions arriving through the transfer portal.
Manning is back to lead the Texas offense. He struggled at times last year, but improved as the season went on. He finished the season playing some of his best football and showed he could make quicker decisions, work through progressions, and create plays outside the pocket. Manning finished the season with 3.163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and seven interceptions on 61.4% passing.
There will be no excuses this season for Manning; it is put-up-or-shut-up time. He knows the offense, understands the demands of SEC football, and has faced elite defenses.
The Longhorns added receiver Cam Coleman to the roster; he will give Texas an explosive player in the passing game. At 6-foot-3, Coleman combines size, speed, and big-play ability. His presence should force defenses to respect the entire field rather than focus on Texas’ short and intermediate passing game. Coleman caught 56 passes for 708 yards and five touchdowns at Auburn last year.
With the addition of Coleman, it could open things up for Ryan Wingo this season. Wingo led the Longhorns in receiving last season with 54 catches for 834 yards and seven touchdowns. Emmett Mosley V also returns and should be a factor in the Longhorns’ offense. The depth at receiver allows Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian to move players around and create favorable matchups.
If Texas is to make a run for a National Championship, it will need to improve its running game. The Longhorns brought in transfers Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown to add explosiveness to the backfield. Smothers rushed for 949 yards and six touchdowns last year at North Carolina State, while brown added 1,1141 yards and four touchdowns at Arizona State.
Both are capable backs that will help Texas have a more balanced attack this season. A strong rushing attack would take pressure off Manning, keep opposing pass rushers honest, and allow Sarkisian to use play-action more effectively.
The offensive line could be one of Texas’ greatest strengths, but recent developments have added an important question. Trevor Goosby, one of the most important players on the offensive front, is dealing with a knee bone bruise. Goosby started all 13 games in 2025 and earned first-team All-SEC honors. His recovery timeline remains uncertain. That matters because protecting Manning is arguably the most important responsibility on the offensive side of the football. Texas has depth, however.
Andre Cojoe has impressed during fall camp while working at left tackle, and Melvin Siani gives the Longhorns another experienced option up front. Guard Brandon Baker is another important piece of the unit. If Goosby returns healthy, Texas could have one of the SEC’s better offensive lines. If he misses significant time, the Longhorns will need their depth to hold up against a tough schedule.
Defense
Will Muschamp takes over the Texas defense this season. Colin Simmons will lead the defense. Simmons returns after earning first-team All-American recognition and enters the season as one of the most feared defensive players in college football. Last year, Simmons had 15.5 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks.
Linebacker Rasheem Biles, who transferred from Pittsburgh, will be a huge addition for Texas. His athleticism lets Texas play faster at linebacker and adds flexibility to its defensive packages. Last year, Biles had 101 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also had two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns. Texas will need linebackers who can defend both the run and pass without being taken off the field. Biles could become that player.
In the secondary, safety Jelani McDonald leads the way. McDonald enters 2026 with 39 career games and 17 starts under his belt and was named to the preseason Jim Thorpe Award watch list. He was also selected to the preseason Third-Team All-SEC team. He gives Texas versatility in the back end. At the other safety is Derek Williams Jr., who provides the range and coverage ability needed to protect the defense over the top.
Bo Mascoe is slated to start at one corner position; he transferred from Rutgers. He compiled 54 tackles, one interception, and four pass defended last year. Kade Phillips is an upcoming cornerback who will start opposite Mascoe. He had six passes defended last year. Phillips’ development could be one of the most important storylines during the first half of the season.
If he becomes a legitimate starter who can handle SEC receivers, Texas suddenly has much more flexibility.
Texas has secondary depth in Kobe Black, Jonah Williams, and Graceson Littleton. Muschamp has a reputation for aggressive, physical defenses. That philosophy can be extremely effective if the secondary can play tight coverage.
Outlook
Texas has the roster to compete for a championship, but the schedule leaves almost no room for complacency. The Longhorns open with Texas State before facing Ohio State. That Ohio State matchup immediately becomes one of the biggest games of the regular season.
Texas will also have to navigate a difficult SEC schedule that includes opponents such as Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee, LSU, and Texas A&M. That is a brutal stretch for any team. It also means Texas cannot afford to overlook opponents. The College Football Playoff has made every loss more meaningful. Texas needs to win the games it is expected to win and steal at least one victory against a top-tier opponent.
