Linebacker reinforcements arrive with an 'A' grade, reshaping Texas' defense and bolstering their championship aspirations.
The Texas Longhorns could be in a position to contend in the 2026 season with a talent like Arch Manning at quarterback.
And to support him, the team has been doing work in the transfer portal to make the best possible team around the budding star.
In a recent article by Longhorns Wire's Trey Luerssen, he gives a grade at every position concerning the quality of the transfers they got at the spot. At linebacker, the Longhorns landed Rasheem Biles, Justin Cryer, and Markus Boswell, which he gives an 'A' grade.
"Highlighted by Biles of Pitt, Texas has almost totally rebuilt its linebacking corp," Luerssen writes. "Texas lost Anthony Hill Jr. and Trey Moore to the NFL Draft and Liona Lefau and Elijah Barnes via the portal. Biles was the No. 1 LB in the portal."
Hill was one of the best linebackers in the SEC this past season, racking up 69 tackles in just 10 games. So getting some replacements at the position in order to have depth were definitely in the team's best interests.
Biles was sixth in the ACC in tackles with 101 in 2025 for Pitt, and he was also able to get to the quarterback with 4.5 sacks. His ball hawking skills were also on full display with a pair of interceptions, both of which he took to the house.
Cryer finished his junior season with the Florida State Seminoles with 43 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and one sack. He was a bright spot for them in an otherwise mediocre season.
And finally, Boswell was able to show flashes in his freshman season at Akron. He had 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one sack, but he was also able to show his nose for the ball with a pick, a forced fumble, and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Texas has a limited amount of time left with Manning, as he will most likely be leaving for the NFL Draft after the 2026 season. As a result, the Longhorns are trying to build the best roster possible around him.
And building up the defense with impressive linebackers is a great way to do just that.