Sarkisian rebuilds Texas with portal stars. Can elite transfers like Raleek Brown and Cam Coleman propel the Longhorns to championship contention?
The Texas Longhorns finished 10-3 in 2025, as they came on strong over the final three games. Quarterback Arch Manning was outstanding during that stretch and accounted for 1,102 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Running back Quintrevion Wisner gained 155 yards on the ground against the Aggiesin the season finale, while wideout Parker Livingstone posted 104 yards on just two catches and a touchdown in the Arkansas game. Christian Clark rushed for 105 yards and a score against Michigan.
Wisner, Livingstone and Clark were among 26 players who left the Longhorns via the transfer portal. Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian lost a lot of depth and experience, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
To mitigate those losses and others, Sarkisian flaunted all the resources and NIL money the Longhorns had to offer and raided the portal for talented replacements, focusing on a nucleus of players to take Texas to new heights in 2026.
RB Raleek Brown (Arizona State)#
Brown led the Sun Devils with 1,141 yards and four touchdowns, and he averaged over six yards per carry. He also added 34 catches for 239 yards and two more scores.
In a win over Colorado, Brown ran for a season-high 255 yards on 22 carries (11.59 average) and a touchdown. He overcomes his lack of size (5-9, 195 pounds) with quickness and speed. Brown was named first-team All-Big 12.
RB Hollywood Smothers (N.C. State)#
Smothers, with one of the great nicknames in college football, led the Wolfpack with over 900 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He is a good receiver out of the backfield as well, with 37 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown. Smothers posted four games of over 100 yards rushing on his way to earning first-team All-ACC accolades.
WR Cam Coleman (Auburn)#
Coleman, the top receiver in the portal, led the Tigers in receiving with 56 catches for 708 yards and five touchdowns. In a loss to Vanderbilt, Coleman caught 10 passes for 143 yards and a score.
LB Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh)#
Biles was the leading tackler for the Panthers last season, racking up 101 stops. He also recorded two interceptions (both returned for scores), one fumble return (for a touchdown), 17 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Biles was named second-team All-ACC.
OL Dylan Sikorski (Oregon State)#
Sikorski turned in a solid season for the Beavers, recording eight quarterback pressures, one sack and zero penalties.
CB Bo Mascoe (Rutgers)#
Mascoe earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten recognition after posting one interception, 53 tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
With one day left before the portal closes (Jan. 16), Sarkisian currently has the No. 3 portal class, according to 247 Sports. With this talented core of players, combined with the returning starters, the Longhorns are in position to be one of the top teams in college football and could be in contention for championships next season.