Texas football’s 2026 freshman class is already making noise in spring practice, with Dia Bell, Derrek Cooper and Samari Matthews among the early standouts.
Texas football spring practice is doing what it always does in Austin ... creating buzz around the next wave of Longhorn talent.
This time, the spotlight is falling on the freshman class. With the spring game set for April 18, several newcomers are already forcing their way into the conversation, and that’s a big deal for a Texas roster trying to stay loaded around Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian.
Quarterback Dia Bell is one of the obvious names to watch.
The early enrollee has benefited from extra reps this spring and looks like a player who’s settling in quickly. Texas doesn’t need Bell to carry the offense in 2026, but seeing him get comfortable this early matters for the future of the quarterback room.
He arrived in Austin with real expectations, and spring has given him a chance to show why.
Running back Derrek Cooper is another freshman drawing attention. Texas rebuilt the backfield, and Cooper’s bigger frame gives the room a different flavor. That could matter sooner than later, especially if the Longhorns want a more physical option alongside their quicker backs.
At wide receiver, Jermaine Bishop Jr. is doing what elite recruits tend to do: making it hard for coaches to ignore him. Even in a talented receiver room, his playmaking ability is showing up.
The linebacker group may be the most important freshman storyline of all.
Tyler Atkinson came in with major recruiting hype, but Rocky Cummings and Kosi Okpala are also helping stabilize a position that needed good news this spring.
Texas’ official roster confirms all three are already in the mix, and their early progress could shape how secure this defense feels heading into fall camp.
Then there’s cornerback Samari Matthews, who might be the biggest surprise of the bunch.
Texas has recruited that room well, so it’s not easy for a freshman to stand out there, but Matthews has. If these first few weeks are any sign, the Longhorns didn’t just sign a strong class.
They signed a group that may help sooner than expected.
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