victoriaadvocate
Steve Sarkisian, now in his sixth year leading the Texas Longhorns, is under no illusions about what constitutes success in 2026. The bar, set both internally and externally, is a national championship. Eleven Longhorns earned spots on the Preseason All-SEC Roster, underscoring the depth of talent on the Forty Acres.
The 2025 campaign was a mixed bag for Texas: victories over rivals Oklahoma and Texas A&M were offset by road losses at Florida and Georgia, keeping the Longhorns out of the College Football Playoff. The weight of the state's hopes now rests on the shoulders of redshirt junior quarterback Arch Manning, who returns for his second full season as the starter. Manning faced early struggles against Ohio State and San Jose State, drawing criticism, but he rebounded by blending athleticism with improved accuracy, finishing third in the SEC with 26 touchdowns.
“That criticism would have melted 99% of people in his shoes,” Sarkisian said. Manning acknowledged the growth, stating, “Going through game experience last year has helped me, and we're trying to get more comfortable every day going forward.”
To support their signal-caller, Texas leveraged its NIL and revenue-sharing resources to secure a top transfer class on offense. The headliner is Auburn junior wide receiver Cam Coleman, who despite inconsistent quarterback play at Auburn, recorded 58 catches for 708 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. “He's a really good athlete, a freak athlete,” Manning said. The offensive line returns three starters, anchored by SEC First-Team left tackle Trevor Goosby. In the backfield, North Carolina State transfer Hollywood Smothers (939 yards, six touchdowns) and Arizona State transfer Raleek Brown (1,141 yards, four touchdowns) add speed and power. “They fit exactly what we're trying to accomplish in the run game,” Sarkisian noted.
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On defense, the most significant addition is Will Muschamp, returning as defensive coordinator after holding the same role under Mack Brown from 2008-10. A former head coach at Florida and South Carolina, Muschamp brings a aggressive, attacking philosophy. “It's everything I thought this hire could be,” Sarkisian said. Despite losing linebacker Anthony Hill to the NFL, Muschamp inherits a unit led by junior defensive end Colin Simmons, who led the SEC with 12 sacks in 2025. Senior defensive tackle Hero Kanu also returns. “I'm not gonna lie, we're stacked,” Simmons said. “There's going to be things we're not great at at the beginning of the season, but in the back of my mind, I know we're going to need to be good at it come November.”
Texas has indeed reestablished itself as a powerhouse, sweeping Oklahoma and Texas A&M over the past two seasons. But with a 12-team College Football Playoff, the Longhorns must sustain their excellence through January. “There aren't rebuilding years,” Sarkisian said. “There aren't years where you say, 'Hey, if we get here, it's going to be okay.' That's our mission, year in and year out.”
Originally reported by victoriaadvocate.