Texas strengthens its offensive line by landing Dylan Sikorski from the portal, a move acknowledging the crucial need for depth and future potential.
For the first time in the Texas Longhorns era under Steve Sarkisian, the offensive line has officially gone portal shopping.
On Friday, offensive line coach Kyle Flood landed former Oregon State Beavers lineman Dylan Sikorski, a move that feels small on the surface but carries real meaning for where Texas believes it went wrong a year ago.
Sikorski checks the first box before you even turn on the tape. He is 6-4, 332 pounds, and built like someone who knows the SEC does not hand out participation trophies in the trenches.
He arrives with three years of eligibility and a body of work that includes snaps on both sides of the ball.
Originally from Sumner, Washington, Sikorski signed with Oregon State in the 2024 class after reshaping his body to pair real play strength with improved athleticism.
That work paid off quickly. After briefly seeing time at defensive tackle as a freshman, he moved back to offense and started six games at left guard in 2025, logging 444 snaps.
Now for the honest part - the tape is uneven. Pro Football Focus dinged Sikorski in pass protection, where he allowed a sack, a quarterback hit, and six hurries.
His run blocking flashed power but lacked consistency. And that is exactly why this move matters.
Texas does not need Sikorski to be a savior. They need him to be depth that actually has a future. Compared to recent departures like Daniel Cruz or Nate Kibble, Sikorski profiles as a lineman trending upward, not one treading water. That alone is progress.
This signing also signals something bigger.
Under Steve Sarkisian, Texas largely avoided portal linemen, trusting internal development. Last season exposed the risk of that approach. Injuries mounted, options thinned, and the Longhorns watched the College Football Playoff from home.
Watch where Sikorski lines up in spring. If he stays at guard and earns second-team reps, Flood sees a real pathway. If he floats between spots, he is depth insurance with upside.
Either way, Texas finally acknowledged the obvious truth of modern college football. You cannot win the trench war without reinforcements. And sometimes the smartest portal move is not a headline grabber, it's a big body who shows up, works, and gives you options when the season inevitably gets messy.