Texas enters a title-or-bust summer with five players capable of changing the Longhorns’ ceiling before fall camp begins.
Texas football is officially back to work, and the Longhorns aren’t easing into anything.
This is the start of a “title or bust” stretch in Austin, where summer workouts could quietly shape whether Steve Sarkisian’s team becomes a real national championship threat or just another preseason hype machine.
The headlines usually come in fall camp. The foundation gets built now.
LonghornsWire named five Longhorns that indicates Texas has star power ... Arch Manning, Ryan Wingo, Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill Jr.
But championship teams are often defined by the players who solve the uncomfortable questions.
Laurence Seymore might be the most important newcomer on offense.
The offensive line portal addition is on campus, and Texas didn’t bring him in to watch. Seymore is expected to compete for the left guard job, giving the Longhorns a chance to finalize their starting five up front.
His summer is about more than learning plays. He has to build trust, timing and physical chemistry with the rest of the line before Manning starts taking meaningful snaps in September.
Sterling Berkhalter is another name to watch closely.
Texas has plenty of young receiver talent, including Cam Coleman and Wingo, but Berkhalter brings something many of the depth receivers don’t ... experience.
He enters the season with more catches and receiving yards than the rest of the reserve receiver group combined.
That's important for a room trying to grow quickly around Manning. If Berkhalter becomes a steady voice and reliable target, Texas’ passing game gets deeper fast.
Darius Snow could be the adult in the linebacker room.
Rasheem Biles and Ty’Anthony Smith appear positioned to lead the group, but the depth remains unsettled. Snow, a seventh-year veteran, was a late portal addition for a reason.
His value could be felt in practice as much as on Saturdays, especially if he helps young linebackers adjust faster.
Derek Williams Jr. may be the biggest swing player on defense.
After battling back from injury, regaining rhythm and learning Will Muschamp’s defense, he finally gets a chance to just play.
If Williams settles in next to McDonald, Texas could have one of the nastiest safety duos in the country.
Then there’s Justus Terry, the defensive line wild card.
After missing much of spring with a shoulder injury, he’s back on the field. His versatility could be brutal for opponents.
Texas can use him on the edge early, then slide him inside on passing downs alongside Simmons or Lance Jackson.
That kind of chess piece changes games.
Summer won’t hand Texas a trophy. But it could reveal whether the Longhorns have the depth, leadership and edge to chase one.
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