The energy around Austin right now is different. It’s not just the usual "Texas is back" chatter that haunts message boards every August. Honestly, it feels like a program that finally stopped looking in the rearview mirror and decided to just floor it.
After a 10-3 campaign that ended with a 41-27 dusting of Michigan in the Citrus Bowl, Steve Sarkisian isn’t playing it safe. He’s building what some insiders are calling college football’s first $40 million roster.
Whether you love the current state of NIL or hate it, you’ve got to admit: the Longhorns are playing the game better than almost anyone else in the SEC.
The Arch Manning Era Is Officially Here
We spent two years watching the most famous backup in sports history hold a clipboard. That ends now. With the 2025 season in the books, the texas longhorns football news everyone was waiting for is confirmed—this is Arch Manning’s team.
He looked elite in his spot starts last year, specifically that 55-0 blowout against Sam Houston where he went 18-of-21 for 309 yards. But the real test isn't Sam Houston. It’s a 2026 schedule that features a Week 2 home date with Ohio State and a trip to Neyland Stadium to face Tennessee.
Sarkisian hasn't just handed him the keys and hoped for the best. He went out and bought the best insurance policy money can buy in the transfer portal.
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Portal Reload: Cam Coleman and the New Weapons
If you're a defensive coordinator in the SEC, you probably didn't sleep much this week. Texas landed Cam Coleman, the former five-star wideout from Auburn. He’s a vertical threat that makes the "pro-spread" offense look unfair.
Then you add Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown to the backfield. Losing a chunk of the 2025 rushing production hurt, but the speed coming in is objectively terrifying. It's a track team in pads.
Will Muschamp Returns to the Forty Acres
The biggest "did that really happen?" moment of the offseason was the return of Will Muschamp. He’s back in Austin as the defensive coordinator, and he’s already acting like he never left.
Reports say Muschamp has been relentless on the trail. He’s already made the nation’s No. 1 safety for the 2027 class a personal priority. It’s a "boom" hire for a defense that, while solid, struggled at times in 2025—specifically during that late-season loss to Georgia where the secondary looked a step slow.
Keeping the Big Men in Austin
The most underrated piece of news this month? Retaining Justus Terry.
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Georgia was reportedly circling like vultures trying to get Terry into the portal. Sarkisian and his staff locked that down on the final day of the window. Terry is a monster on the interior. You don't win in the SEC without guys like him holding the point of attack, and keeping him away from Kirby Smart is a win that won't show up in the box score but will absolutely matter in November.
The Offensive Line Gamble
If there’s a weak spot that could derail this $40 million hype train, it’s the offensive line depth.
We saw some massive departures to the NFL Draft and the portal. Trevor Goosby is back at left tackle—scouts have him as a potential second-rounder in the 2026 NFL Draft—but the interior is a bit of a construction zone.
- Melvin Siani (Wake Forest transfer) is a massive addition. He didn't allow a single sack last year and is already calling himself a first-round pick on social media.
- Jonte Newman coming over from Texas A&M adds some much-needed SEC experience.
- Brandon Baker and Connor Robertson are returning, but the depth behind them is "hold your breath" thin.
Sarkisian is essentially betting that his starters stay healthy. It's a high-stakes gamble. One rolled ankle in September could change the entire trajectory of the season.
Why 2026 Feels Like a "Natty or Bust" Season
Texas finished 2025 ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll. For most programs, that’s a great year. For Texas, it felt like a missed opportunity because of the losses to Ohio State, Florida, and Georgia.
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The fans are restless. The boosters are spending. The talent is, on paper, top-three in the country.
The program even set a record with a 3.31 team GPA last fall. Sarkisian has fixed the culture, he's fixed the recruiting, and now he’s got the quarterback everyone wants. There are no excuses left.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following the Longhorns this spring, keep your eyes on these specific developments:
- The Right Guard Battle: Watch how Jonte Newman transitions. If he can’t lock down an interior spot early, Manning might be under more pressure than he’s used to.
- The Muschamp Factor: Look for a more aggressive, "calculated risk" style of secondary play in the spring game. Muschamp doesn't like sitting in soft zones.
- NIL Sustainability: With the roster value skyrocketing, keep an eye on locker room chemistry. Managing a $40 million roster is more like managing an NFL team than a traditional college squad.
The 2026 schedule is a gauntlet, but for the first time in a decade, Texas has a roster built to run it. The move to the SEC was always going to be a steep climb. This year, it looks like they finally brought the right gear.
Next Steps for Longhorn Fans
Stay tuned to the official spring practice schedule starting in March. The Orange-White game will be the first real look at the Coleman-Manning connection in a live setting. Secure your tickets for the Ohio State game early; it's projected to be the most expensive get-in price in DKR history.