If you thought the move to the SEC was a big deal, you haven't seen anything yet. The Forty Acres is currently the epicenter of a financial and tactical earthquake that is basically reshaping how college football operates. Honestly, the latest university of texas longhorn football news isn't just about who won a bowl game or who’s starting at left guard. It’s about the fact that Steve Sarkisian is reportedly presiding over what could be the first $40 million roster in the history of the sport.
That is an absurd amount of money. It’s "NFL lite" territory. But when you look at the recent Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan—a 41-27 statement where Arch Manning finally looked like the guy everyone hoped he’d be—the investment starts to make sense. Sark isn't just trying to compete; he’s trying to buy a vacuum and suck up every bit of elite talent left in the portal before the 2026 season kicks off against Texas State in September.
The Arch Manning Era is Officially Here
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Manning in the room. For two years, everyone asked when Arch would take the wheel. Well, the wheel is his now. In the Citrus Bowl, he didn't just pass for 221 yards; he ran for 155. That 60-yard touchdown scamper against Michigan? That was the moment the "pro-style pocket passer" narrative died.
Manning is a dual-threat weapon, and the coaching staff is finally building the offense to reflect that. But losing depth hurts. Just this week, we saw running back Christian Clark initially rumored for the portal, only to have reports surface that he might be sticking around. It’s a rollercoaster. You’ve got guys like Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter heading out, which would normally be a disaster.
But then Sark goes and flips Hollywood Smothers from Alabama.
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That’s the kind of move that keeps Big 12 fans (and some new SEC rivals) up at night. Smothers and Arizona State transfer Raleek Brown are coming in to ensure that Manning isn't doing everything himself. If you’re tracking the latest news, the backfield is basically being rebuilt from scratch with high-octane portal parts.
Will Muschamp and the "Boom" Factor
The defense is undergoing a massive vibe shift. Pete Kwiatkowski is out after five seasons, and a very familiar face is back: Will Muschamp. If you remember the late 2000s, you know what Muschamp brings. High energy. Relentless pressure. Probably a few broken headsets.
Sarkisian basically admitted that the standard wasn't met on that side of the ball last year. Bringing in "Coach Boom" as the defensive coordinator is a signal that the "soft" labels occasionally thrown at Texas are being addressed with a sledgehammer. Muschamp already landed Rasheem Biles, a star linebacker from Pitt, and is currently chasing Cade Uluave from Cal.
The strategy is clear:
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- Get Manning elite targets (hello, Cam Coleman).
- Fix the defensive spine with veteran portal additions.
- Don't worry about the price tag.
Coleman is the big one. Landing the former Auburn wideout—the No. 1 ranked receiver in the portal—is a "nuke" move. Pairing him with Ryan Wingo gives Texas a duo that most NFL teams would be jealous of. Coleman chose Austin over College Station and Tuscaloosa. That matters. It tells you where the momentum is sitting right now.
The Brutal 2026 Gauntlet
You can have a $40 million roster and still go 8-4 if you don't respect the schedule. The 2026 slate is a nightmare. After the opener, the Longhorns host Ohio State on September 12th. That game is going to be the most expensive ticket in Austin history.
Then you hit the SEC grind:
- Tennessee in Knoxville (September 26)
- The Red River Rivalry in Dallas (October 10)
- Florida, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State at home
- A brutal November stretch at LSU and at Texas A&M
That season finale in College Station on Black Friday is already being hyped as a potential play-in game for the College Football Playoff. The SEC didn't invite Texas to be a guest; they invited them to be a target.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Portal
There’s this idea that Texas is "losing" because 25 players hit the portal. Honestly, that’s just the tax you pay for upgrading. Losing a guy like Jaime Ffrench stings—there's no way around it. He was a five-star recruit with a massive ceiling. But in the 2026 landscape, if you aren't playing immediately, you're leaving.
Sarkisian is prioritizing "now" over "maybe." He’s looking for guys like Ian Geffrard (Arkansas) and Zion Williams (LSU) to beef up the defensive line because you can't win in the SEC with three-star projects. You need 330-pound humans who have already seen double teams in Death Valley.
Real Actions for Longhorn Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just look at the recruiting rankings. Those are old news. Watch the "retention" reports.
- Monitor the Interior: Keep an eye on Jordan Seaton. If Texas lands the former Colorado tackle, the protection for Manning goes from "good" to "impenetrable."
- Check the Staff: Watch how Muschamp uses the spring practice period to integrate the new secondary. The exit of Caleb Chester thins the depth, so look for a late portal addition at corner before the January 16 window shuts.
- Follow the Money: The $40 million figure isn't official, but the NIL collectives are active. Support the local collectives if you want to see the "All-In" season actually result in a trophy.
The window for a national championship is wide open, but it's also very short. Manning likely won't be around forever, and the SEC is only getting tougher. This is the year Texas stops talking about being "back" and actually stays there.
Next Steps for 2026 Prep:
- Mark the Calendar: Set an alert for the January 16th portal deadline to see the final "out" list.
- Spring Game Intel: Watch for the mid-April Orange-White game to see how Hollywood Smothers fits into the RPO schemes.
- Depth Chart Watch: Pay attention to the left guard battle, specifically if Delano Townsend (Ole Miss) makes the move to Austin to shore up the veteran presence on the line.