Loaded with top transfer talent and fueled by playoff snub, Texas gears up for 2026, aiming to prove their dominance on the field.
The Texas Longhorns have been surgical during this transfer cycle, securing commitments from some of the top players in the portal, including receiver Cam Coleman (Auburn), running backs Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and Hollywood Smothers (N.C. State) and linebacker Rasheem Biles (Pitt), to name a few.
Coach Steve Sarkisian pulled out all the stops to ensure he puts the most talented team on the field in 2026.
After winning six of their final seven games to finish 9-3 last season, the Longhorns watched as teams like No. 8 seed Oklahoma (10-2) got into the College Football Playoff.
Then, as soon as they were in, the Sooners were out after a loss to Alabama in the first round.
Texas had defeated Oklahoma 23-6 earlier in the season. But head-to-head victories did not matter to the committee in this case. Texas was the preseason No. 1 team in the country and started the 2025 campaign with a 14-7 loss at No. 3 Ohio State. Oklahoma beat FCS Illinois State 35-3 at home in Week 1.
Texas had three victories over top ten teams: No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 9 Vanderbilt and No. 3 Texas A&M. The Sooners posted Top 25 wins over No. 15 Michigan, No. 4 Alabama and No. 23 Missouri.
The committee was not about to put a three-loss Texas team in the playoff ahead of another team with a better overall record. But Texas was playing its best football down the stretch and had a better resume overall (quality wins) than Oklahoma. The powers that be, the Big Ten and the SEC, are already talking about playoff expansion once more, right on cue.
So, Texas had to settle for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, where quarterback Arch Manning went off against Michigan. Manning accounted for 376 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-27 win over the Wolverines. Sarkisian got a bath from a Gatorade cooler full of cheese crackers.
Ahh, the salty smell of victory.
As the Longhorns switch their mindset to upcoming spring practice, Sarkisian can take solace in the immense talent he will bring to bear against his 2026 opponents.
Brown and Smothers combined to rush for over 2,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. Coleman had over 700 yards receiving and five scores.
Biles recorded 101 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and scored three defensive touchdowns. Brown, Smothers and Biles were all-conference performers last season.
Sarkisian will look to make a statement in 2026, taking care of all business on the field, so there is no question, no debate and no interpretation.
He will have a Heisman candidate at quarterback, triggering what is sure to be one of the most talented offenses in the country.
From the crucible, the Longhorns' defense will be forged by a mad (emphasis on mad) scientist in defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and a trusted assistant in Blake Gideon.
Sarkisian has pushed all of his chips to the center of the table. It is a national title or bust for Texas in 2026.