Everything moves fast in Austin. If you blink, you’ve basically missed a whole new roster being built. Honestly, the latest texas football recruiting news has been less of a "steady build" and more of a high-stakes demolition and reconstruction project. Steve Sarkisian and his staff aren't just looking for bodies; they are hunting for specific archetypes to protect Arch Manning as he takes the full reins in 2026.
It’s been a wild January.
Between the transfer portal window closing and the early signing period dust finally settling, the Longhorns have fundamentally shifted how they look in the trenches. If you've been following the message boards, you know the anxiety levels were peaking about a week ago when five offensive linemen, including freshman Nick Brooks, decided to jump into the portal. People were panicking. But as we see now, there was a method to the madness.
The Offensive Line Shuffle and the Jordan Seaton Pursuit
The biggest story in texas football recruiting news right now is the massive bet Sarkisian and Kyle Flood are making on the offensive line. You don't just let guys like Daniel Cruz and Neto Umeozulu walk unless you have a bigger plan. That plan? It’s basically "Quality over Quantity."
Texas just landed Melvin Siani, the Wake Forest transfer who didn't allow a single sack last season. That’s huge. He’s got over 1,500 snaps of experience, which is exactly what you want when you're protecting a generational talent at quarterback. But the real "white whale" is still out there. Jordan Seaton, the Colorado transfer and former five-star, is the name everyone is whispering about.
He’s scheduled to visit Austin.
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Landing Seaton would be a massive statement. We’re talking about a guy who could command a $2.5 million NIL valuation. If Texas pulls this off, the 2026 starting line starts looking like an NFL unit:
- LT: Trevor Goosby
- LG: Dylan Sikorski (the Oregon State transfer)
- C: Connor Robertson
- RG: Brandon Baker
- RT: Jordan Seaton (assuming he commits and slides to the right)
It’s a risky game, though. By being so aggressive in the portal, you risk alienating the young guys you recruited out of high school. But in the SEC, you either have an elite front, or you’re lunch. Sark knows this.
Why Skill Positions Just Got Scarier
While the O-line is being rebuilt, the weapons room is already overflowing. The addition of Cam Coleman is, quite frankly, ridiculous. He was the number one receiver in the portal for a reason. Pair him with Ryan Wingo and Kaliq Lockett, and you have a track team that can actually catch the football.
Then you’ve got the backfield.
Losing guys like CJ Baxter and Jaydon Gibson to the draft or graduation hurt, but Hollywood Smothers coming in from NC State changes the dynamic. He’s a 1,000-yard rusher who originally went to Oklahoma, then NC State, and now he's back in the footprint. He’s joined by Raleek Brown (Arizona State), giving Texas two of the most explosive "scat-back" types in the country.
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The Class of 2026: The "Signed" Reality
We can't ignore the high school kids who actually put pen to paper. The 2026 class is anchored by Dia Bell, the five-star QB from Florida. Sarkisian described him as a "football junkie," and honestly, he has to be to follow Arch Manning.
Then there’s Jermaine Bishop.
He’s the "athlete" out of Willis who could play corner or receiver. Most experts think he’s a Travis Hunter type of talent. Texas has been adamant about letting him find his own path, but his explosiveness is something this roster needs. On the defensive side, Kosi Okpala and Tyler Atkinson are the "home runs" at linebacker that the staff is leaning on to replace the production of Anthony Hill Jr.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
You’ll see headlines saying Notre Dame jumped Texas for the #1 overall recruiting spot recently. It’s true—the Irish added Tionne Gray and pushed past the Horns. But rankings in January are kinda like the weather in Lubbock; they change every five minutes.
What matters more is "Roster Readiness."
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Texas is losing a lot of depth, but they are replacing it with "Ready for Play" (RFP) guys. Instead of carrying 18 offensive linemen where half are projects, the staff seems content carrying 12 monsters. It's a shift toward the "NFL style" of roster management. If one or two of those starters go down, the depth is thinner than it used to be. That’s the gamble.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're trying to figure out if this team is actually a title contender based on these recruiting moves, look at these three things:
- The Seaton Domino: If Jordan Seaton commits, the floor for this offense rises significantly. Without him, they are one injury away from a serious problem at tackle.
- Spring Integration: Watch how quickly Cam Coleman and Hollywood Smothers pick up the playbook. With Arch Manning’s processing speed, the timing needs to be perfect by the Orange-White game.
- The Interior D-Line: Keep an eye on Ian Geffrard and Zion Williams. They are massive human beings brought in to "clog the drain" in the SEC. If they can't hold the point of attack, the fancy linebackers won't matter.
Keep your notifications on for the next 48 hours. The portal window is closing, and the final pieces of the 2026 puzzle are being snapped into place right now.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the official visit dates for the remaining uncommitted portal targets and watch the scholarship count. Texas is currently hovering near the 85-man limit, meaning any more "ins" will require a few more "outs" before the spring semester begins. Check the 247Sports Transfer Portal Tracker daily for the latest movement.