The Texas Longhorns are set to kick off fall camp tomorrow with the biggest expectations in the country looming overhead.
While head coach Steve Sarkisian and the players return to campus, with a brand new practice facility in tow, there are a few minor details to iron out before the actual season kicks off in about a month.
Sure, some positions like starting quarterback and the defensive line are mostly in place, but there could still be a couple of position battles at hand.
With the Horns' fall camp less than 24 hours away, here is Hook'Em Headlines' projected depth chart for the 2026 Texas football team:
Longhorns' depth chart prediction before fall camp begins - Offense
Quarterback
- Starter: Arch Manning
- Backup: KJ Lacey
- Depth: Dia Bell, MJ Morris
To the surprise of no one, Arch Manning will take the leading role as QB1 this season, supported by redshirt freshman KJ Lacey, true freshman Dia Bell, and transfer acquisition MJ Morris.
Running back
- Starter: Hollywood Smothers
- Backup: Raleek Brown
- Depth: Derrek Cooper, James Simon, Michael Terry III
Running back was one of the highlights of Steve Sarkisian's work in the transfer portal this season, landing Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown. Smothers will likely get the nod as RB1, backed up by Brown, with true freshman Derrek Cooper and redshirt freshmen James Simon and Michael Terry III adding depth.
Wide receiver
- Starters: Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo, Emmett Mosley V
- Backups: Sterling Berkhalter, Kaliq Lockett
- Depth: Jermain Bishop Jr., Daylan Mutcheon
Another highlight of the offseason was Texas picking up Cam Coleman from the portal. He will likely start at WR-X, with returning stars Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V slotting in at WR-Z and WR-H, respectively.
Tight end
- Starters: Michael Masunas, Spencer Shannon
- Backups: Emaree Winston, Nick Townsend
- Depth: Will Randle, Charlie Jilek
Tight end has been one of the biggest questions on Texas's depth chart this offseason, but buzz surrounding Michael Masunas has brought him to the forefront of the conversation. Then, Spencer Shannon and Emaree Winston will likely battle for that "TE2" spot.
Offensive line
LT:
- Starter: Trevor Goosby
- Backup:Â Jordan Coleman
LG:
- Starter: Laurence Seymore
- Backup: Jaydon Chatman/Dylan Sikorski
C:
- Starter: Connor Robertson
- Backup: Jackson Christian
RG:
- Starter: Brandon Baker/Cole Hutson*
- Backup: Paris Patterson Jr.
RT:
- Starter: Melvin Siani
- Backup: Andre Cojoe
For the first time in quite a few years, the Texas offensive line feels as shored up as ever with transfer portal additions like left guard Laurence Seymore and right tackle Melvin Siani.
If Cole Hutson retrurns, he could easily vie for the starting right guard role, possibly knocking Brandon Baker down to backup.
Longhorns' depth chart prediction before fall camp begins - Defense
Defensive line
Edge:
- Starter: Lance Jackson
- Backup: Zina Umeozulu, Jamarion Carlton
DT:
- Starter: Hero Kanu
- Backup: Alex January, Justus Terry, Muron Charles
NT:
- Starter: Ian Geffard or Maraad Watson
- Backup: Ian Geffard or Maraad Watson, Josiah Sharma, Zion Williams
Sark picked up Ian Geffard in the transfer portal. While he is trending toward the starting position, Geffard will have to fend off returning junior Maraad Watson. Hero Kanu will undoubtedly return as the starting DT, joined by fellow returner Lance Jackson, who will start out on the edge.
Linebacker
- Starters: Colin Simmons, Rasheem Biles, Ty'Anthony Smith, Brad Spence
- Backups: Justin Cryer, Markus Boswell, Colton Vasek, Tyler Atkinson
- Depth: Richard Wesley, Rocky Cummings, Kosi Okpala, Smith Orogbo
The definition of a leader, linebacker Colin Simmons will play the No. 1 role behind the defensive line, likely joined by transfer pickup Rasheem Biles and returning Longhorns Ty'Anthony Smith and Brad Smith in the starting lineup.
Cornerback
- Starters: Kade Phillips or Kobe Black, Bo Mascoe
- Backups: Kade Phillips or Kobe Black, Warren Roberson
- Depth: Samari Matthews, Hayward Howard Jr.
Don't be surprised if rising sophomore addition Kade Phillips knocks returning right cornerback Kobe Black to a second-string role, with transfer addition Bo Mascoe running the show along the left sideline.
The support cast will be composed almost entirely of true freshmen, with Samari Matthews and Hayward Howard Jr. joining the Horns this offseason, as well as redshirt junior Warren Roberson.
Safety
- Starters: Jelani McDonald, Xavier Filsaime
- Backups: Derek Williams Jr., Jordon Johnson-Rubell
- Depth: Jonah Williams, Jonathan Cunningham, Zelus Hicks
Unsurprisingly, Jelani McDonald and Xavier Filsaime will be the starting strong and free safeties for the Longhorns this fall. The big "unknown" will be the contribution level we see out of Jonah Williams, who has struggled with injuries while playing both football and baseball at Texas.
Nickelback
- Starter: Graceson Littleton
- Backup: Wardell Mack
This will be a nearly perfect continuation of last season, with rising sophomore Graceson Littleton playing starting nickelback, and redshirt sophomore Wardell Mack backing him up.
Longhorns' depth chart prediction before fall camp begins - Special Teams
Kicker
- Starter: Gianni Spetic
- Backup: Jake Collett
- Depth: Spencer Barnett
Punter
- Starter: Mac Chiumento
- Backup: Mike Bukauskas
Punter and kicker are two roles where you hope to never remember the names of the original support cast, because that means something went wrong with the starters: either an injury or continuous poor performances on the field.
Sarkisian picked up both punter Mac Chiumento and kicker Gianni Spetic from the transfer portal this offseason, and they are both expected to be the starters.
Kick returner
- Starter: Ryan Niblett
- Backup: Raleek Brown
Named as the preseason All-SEC First Team kick returner, Ryan Niblett was a star last season and will continue to be one this year for the Longhorns' special teams unit.
Punt returner
- Starter: Raleek Brown
- Backup: Hollywood Smothers
It's almost always a running back attempting to field and return punts for the Longhorns, and that should be no different this season with Raleek Brown likely taking the starting role as the RB2, supported by projected RB1 Hollywood Smothers.
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