Texas is entering a defining chapter. Driven by quarterback Arch Manning's leap and an aggressive roster overhaul on both lines, the Longhorns are positioning themselves for an immediate run at the SEC title.
The Offensive Line Overhaul
The addition of offensive tackle Melvin Siani from Wake Forest and guard Laurence Seymore from Western Kentucky brings critical protection to a unit that left Manning running for his life in 2025. Texas ranked outside the top three in pressures allowed in the SEC, with Manning pressured on 35 to 37 percent of his dropbacks. Per PFF, his passing grade dropped from the high 80s when kept clean to the low 60s under pressure, and 11 to 12 of his 16 turnover-worthy plays came under duress.
When not blitzed and kept clean, Manning posted a 19 to 3 touchdown to interception ratio, 8.1 yards per attempt, 12 big-time throws, and a 67.6 percent completion rate. This marks a massive upgrade path for an offense that too often stalled behind an overworked front.
A Loaded Running Back Room
To execute this vision, head coach Steve Sarkisian paired the line upgrades with an out-of-this-world running back room. Daylan "Hollywood" Smothers arrives from NC State after posting 939 yards on 160 carries, a 5.9 yards per carry average, and a 52.3 percent breakaway rate with 14 runs of 15 or more yards. Raleek Brown, a shifty speedster, comes over from Arizona State after putting up 1,134 yards on 185 attempts, good for 6.1 yards per carry. Brown is not the biggest contact runner, but he makes defenders miss in the open field, helping ASU finish with the 15th best open field yardage total in the country last season. Of his carries, 31 went for 10 or more yards and 16 went for 15 or more, with a 45.8 percent breakaway rate. It is a strong one-two punch, though both backs are under 6 feet and around 195 pounds, which raises questions about how they will perform near the goal line. Texas finished with an 85.11 percent scoring rate and a 63.83 percent touchdown rate in the red zone last season, ranking just 61st and 49th nationally. The Longhorns need to be far more efficient once they cross into scoring territory this year under Manning.
Wide Receivers Ready to Break Out
The wide receiver room is loaded as well, headlined by Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo, and Emmett Mosley, with depth pieces like Sterling Berkhalter from Wake Forest and five-star talent Jermaine Bishop waiting behind them. Four receivers topped 400 receiving yards last season and two cleared 700. With Manning continuing to develop and hope that the offensive line finally comes together, expect both Wingo and Coleman to push past 800 yards this fall.
Can the Returning Line Improve?
The offensive line returns an experienced group, but the question is whether experience translates to improvement. Cole Hutson is back after allowing 20 pressures and 14 hurries last season, though only 2 sacks, a number that probably owes plenty to Manning's ability to escape trouble. Brandon Barker and Trevor Goosby also return. Barker allowed a team high 23 pressures but 0 sacks, while Goosby allowed 16 pressures and 3 sacks. Experience defines this group, but three of these same players were responsible for Manning being pressured on 35 percent of his dropbacks a year ago. They have to be better in 2026.
The Pass Rush Is the Glaring Concern
On defense, the pass rush looks like the glaring concern. Outside of Collin Simmons, it is hard to feel confident that Lance Jackson or Ian Geffrard develop into difference makers off the edge. Jackson's first real look came in a mediocre showing against Michigan, playing 51 snaps, though he added more than 10 pounds over the offseason in hopes of putting it all together. Geffrard, at 6 foot 5 and 387 pounds, will mainly serve as a run defender, clogging up A gap lanes, something Texas will badly need given its schedule. Zina Umeozulu will likely have to step up as a pass rush threat, and he looks capable of it, but Texas may simply need to blitz more often to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Simmons led the SEC in sacks with 12 and finished second in tackles for loss with 15.5, while posting a pass rush win rate above 21 percent among high-volume Power 4 edges.
At linebacker, Texas landed a major addition in Rasheem Biles, an outstanding pickup from Pittsburgh who should elevate the entire defense. His running mate, Ty'Anthony Smith, brings good instincts and plays as a willing tackler, though his coverage skills remain a question mark and he is undersized for his frame.
A Veteran, Battle-Tested Secondary
The secondary returns starters at every position group. Graceson Littleton and Bo Mascoe, the latter a transfer from Rutgers, both logged over 500 snaps last season. Behind them at corner is Cade Philips, who played 256 snaps. Jelani McDonald brings over 700 snaps of experience, with the next closest depth piece being Xavier Filsaime at 293 snaps. Both Mascoe and Littleton look like solid cornerbacks heading into the year.
Schedule Gauntlet and Final Prediction
Texas faces the toughest schedule in the SEC, with matchups against Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida, Ole Miss, Missouri, LSU, and Texas A&M. If the pass rush cannot get home consistently, putting too much pressure on Simmons to do it alone, and if the offensive line falters again in front of Manning, the losses could pile up quickly.Could Texas drop Week 2 to Ohio State? Could Ole Miss, now without its offensive coordinator, put up the toughest fight in conference play? Could LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt lead the Tigers past the Longhorns?
Texas is not the unstoppable juggernaut some are making it out to be. If the offensive line performs the way it did last season, this is a two-loss team, falling to LSU and Ohio State. But if the line improves and the pass rush outperforms expectations, Texas becomes a real SEC Championship contender. My prediction has the Longhorns finishing 10-2, with losses to LSU and Ohio State. We could also see a setback to Oklahoma, but I'm not buying into the hype anymore surrounding Sooners QB John Mateer.
