Projecting the Biggest Concern for the Texas Longhorns in 2026
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Early odds for the 2026 college football season place Texas as one of the favorites to win it all. Will coach Steve Sarkisian’s team rebound and contend for the national title after a disappointing ’25 campaign? Although last year wasn’t a massive disappointment, a 10-3 record with no playoff appearance was far off preseason projections and odds that placed the Longhorns as one of the favorites to bring home a national championship.
With quarterback Arch Manning playing his best ball at the end of the ‘25 season, along with the return of 10 other starters, optimism is high in Austin for a return to the playoff this fall. Additionally, Sarkisian bolstered this squad through the portal, adding two capable running backs in Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and Hollywood Smothers (NC State), along with receiver Cam Coleman (Auburn). Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles should be a standout at linebacker for new coordinator Will Muschamp.
Sarkisian has one of the nation’s top quarterbacks and an offense loaded with skill talent. Muschamp should help the Texas’ defense up its play a notch, especially with Colin Simmons back up front, and rising star defensive back Graceson Littleton back in the secondary.
Although Texas has a lot going for it in ‘26, there are still variables that could keep this team out of the playoff.
Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan and Kyle Wood debate and project what the biggest concern for Texas should be in ’26:
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Projecting the Biggest Concern for the Texas Longhorns in 2026
Steven Lassan: Offensive Line
My biggest concern is the position that hindered the playoff hopes of the Longhorns last season: The offensive line.
This unit entered ‘25 with just one returning starter and little proven depth. As a result, the play in the trenches was a season-long issue. Sarkisian’s offense wasn’t able to establish a consistent rushing attack, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry in SEC games and topping over 100 yards in a contest just three times in conference action. Quarterback Arch Manning had to work through some early struggles, but the first-year starter had too much pressure in the pocket and was often attempting to win on third-and-long due to the lack of a running game.
On paper, this unit looks better than it did at the end of ‘25. The Longhorns did find a better rhythm late in the trenches, and a solid foundation returns with three starters back. Included in that group is standout left tackle Trevor Goosby, along with Connor Robertson and Brandon Baker. Sarkisian landed four transfers to solidify this group, with Melvin Siani (Wake Forest) and Laurence Seymore (Western Kentucky) penciled in as expected starters.
With improved depth and talent, along with more experience, Texas should show marked development in the trenches this year. And if that holds up, the Longhorns can establish the run again and provide better protection for Manning, which will help Sarkisian’s offense return to a spot among the best in college football.
Kyle Wood: Secondary
The back end of the Longhorns’ defense underwent a major shakeup in the offseason. In addition to changes at defensive coordinator (Muschamp) and defensive passing game coordinator (Blake Gideon), Texas lost three seasoned starters from a unit that took a step back a season ago.
The Longhorns finished with the best pass defense in the SEC in 2024, their first season in the conference. Not coincidentally, that team made the College Football Playoff on the back of a dominant defense. Texas slid to 12th in the SEC against the pass in 2025 and narrowly missed out on a return to the CFP. Safety Michael Taaffe and cornerbacks Malik Muhammad and Jaylon Guilbeau, three-year starters for the Longhorns, are all moving on to the NFL. Taaffe and Muhammad both earned All-SEC honors last season and their veteran presence will be missed in a promising but inexperienced secondary.
Talent is rarely a concern at a program like Texas, which returns safety Jelani McDonald and cornerback Graceson Littleton. And there are blue-chip recruits on the roster ready to fill holes in the defense, like cornerback Kobe Black and safety Xavier Filsaime. Evidently, the Longhorns are not overly concerned about the turnover as their decorated portal haul included just one defensive back (Bo Masco from Rutgers).
It may take some time for this group to gel, but Texas’ schedule offers little reprieve. Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin and Ohio State visit in Week 2. The Red River Rivalry against John Mateer and Oklahoma is just a few weeks later. There are also further tests on the horizon against Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss and a new-look LSU squad led by Sam Leavitt. If the Longhorns don’t return to their place among the SEC’s elite pass defenses, the quarterbacks on their schedule will punish them accordingly.
Muschamp should be able to get the most out of a room rife with four- and five-star defensive backs, several of whom already had roles. Still, this much turnover from a unit that already was an area of concern will naturally draw attention for a championship contender.
Related: College Football Top 25 Pre-Spring Rankings for 2026
Related: SEC Football: Way-Too-Early 2026 QB Rankings
Related: SEC Football Strength of Schedule: Which Teams Face Easiest, Hardest Roads in 2026?
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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