The Longhorns could have one of the best tackles in college football protecting Arch in 2026.
When you have one of the best quarterbacks in college football, as the Texas Longhorns do in Arch Manning, one thing you need is for him to be protected.
So often we see good quarterbacks look mediocre because the protection in front of them is failing, and Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian knows that as well as anyone.
For Manning last season, he was sacked 23 times in 2025, with six coming against Florida.
But towards the end of the year, things improved with Arch only being sacked five times in his last five games, and a big reason for that was offensive tackle, Trevor Goosby.
Protecting Manning isn't for the faint-hearted, as his dual-threat ability makes it tough on his linemen to know exactly where he's going at all times.
But the 6-7, 325-pound Goosby did his thing.
Per draft experts, Goosby is known for his great length, sublime movement, and his ability to pass protect as well as anyone.
Seen as a veteran of the position, Goosby will enter the 2026 season as one of the best tackles in college football.
And it appears everyone is in alignment with that thought.
ESPN experts Jordan Reid and Matt Miller, in their top-five rankings of tackles for 2026, both have Goosby at No. 1.
So, Arch has the best tackle in football protecting him. That's a good place to start for Texas.
We know how much of a premium NFL teams put on good tackles in the draft, and if Goosby can have another good year of football with the Longhorns, he could see himself high up the draft boards.
Of course, once the quarterbacks go, then it could be up for debate as to where Goosby "falls," but there's no denying he's a first-round talent.
He has to make sure he has another good, solid year protecting Manning to solidify his draft status, which, according to Reid and Miller, who have him No. 1 already among tackles, feels nearly set.
But as we know, football is unpredictable, so Goosby will need to put on a show often in 2026 to make sure he is the best version of himself, not only for the Longhorns and Manning, but for his draft stock as well.
