Texas Reloads With Diverse Transfer Portal Haul

In addition to boosting Manning’s weapons on the outside, Sarkisian desperately needed to jump-start the rushing attack. Texas averaged only 3.3 yards per rush in SEC play and finished No. 80 nationally in success rate on the ground. A pair of transfer running backs in Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State) provide optimism for an improved ground attack next year. 

Per PFF, Smothers accumulated 614 of his 939 rushing yards in '25 after contact. Brown is likely to provide more big-play ability after averaging 6.1 yards a carry with the Sun Devils this year, while also catching 34 passes. The potential is in place for a thunder and lightning pairing in the backfield.

The offensive line underachieved in '25, but this unit seemed to find the right mix down the stretch and is off to a strong start this offseason. Starters in left tackle Trevor Goosby and center Connor Robertson announced their intent to return next fall. With right tackle Brandon Baker also back, this unit is slated to bring back three full-time starters in '26. Oregon State transfer Dylan Sikorski is poised to compete for one of the open spots at guard. Also, tackle Andre Cojoe is back after missing all of '25 due to injury.

The trenches also received a late boost in the portal window with Wake Forest tackle Melvin Siani transferring to Austin. Also, the Longhorns remain in the hunt for Colorado transfer — and the top lineman in the portal — Jordan Seaton.

If the offensive line continues to build on a strong finish to '25, while Brown and Smothers form a standout one-two punch, Texas should have a much-improved ground attack, which only helps to take some of the pressure off of Manning.

Sarkisian already took a massive swing at elevating his defense from very good to potentially elite by hiring Will Muschamp as the program’s new coordinator. The Longhorns haven’t been bad on that side of the ball, as they held opponents to 15.3 points a game in '24 and 20.3 in '25. However, Muschamp’s aggressive scheme and track record of success and talent development could help this unit take its game up a notch.

The portal also brought help to each level of the defense. Arkansas transfer Ian Geffrard is a massive (387 pounds) addition on the interior of the line. Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles is arguably the top linebacker in the portal and will solidify the second level with Anthony Hill off to the NFL. And in the secondary, cornerback Bo Mascoe thrived in coverage at Rutgers and can help a pass defense also undergoing some offseason renovation.

Even though the Longhorns' final record in '25 was 10-3, and two of the losses came against teams that reached the College Football Playoff, it’s no secret the season was a disappointment for Texas. The Longhorns were ranked No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll and fell way short by missing the playoff.

However, the '25 disappointment is fading quickly in Austin. The playoff miss is fueling an offseason of additions to the portal to get Sarkisian’s team back in the playoff and potentially to the top of the SEC. 

Manning now has the right pieces at receiver and running back to go with an improving offensive line. The combination of Manning’s development, along with a better supporting cast, should lead to a more potent attack next fall. And with a defense poised to rank among the best in the SEC, all signs point to Texas returning to the playoff and contending for the national title in '26.