With the spring game just a couple of months away, Texas fans will soon get their first live glimpse of the 2026 Longhorns football team, and perhaps no unit carries more intrigue than Steve Sarkisian’s defense.
As Texas looks ahead to the new season, hope and uncertainty coexist on that side of the ball. The Longhorns must replace several key contributors, particularly in the secondary and linebacker room, where departures to the transfer portal and early entries into the 2026 NFL Draft have reshaped the depth chart. Leadership, experience, and production walked out the door, but opportunity has walked in with it.
With star players returning, such as edge rusher Colin Simmons, safety Jelani McDonald, and nickel Graceson Littleton, Texas brings proven talent back at all three levels of the defense. Their experience provides a strong foundation heading into 2026.
The Longhorns also bolstered the roster through the transfer portal. Arkansas nose tackle Ian Geffrard adds size in the middle, while former Pittsburgh linebacker Rasheem Biles and Rutgers corner Bo Mascoe bring experience and competition to key positions.
Incoming four-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson from Loganville, Georgia, could also push for early playing time in a linebacker room seeking depth and playmakers. With Will Muschamp returning as defensive coordinator, Texas has the leadership and pieces in place to make serious noise this season.
Italic: Transfers
*- Freshman
Edge rushers
Left DE
Starter: Lance Jackson
Backups: Justus Terry & Zina Umeozulu
Right DE
Starter: Colin Simmons
Backups: Colton Vasek & Smith Orogbo
Outside of star junior DE and sack leader Colin Simmons, this edge room is fairly young and short on proven college production. But what it lacks in experience, it makes up for in raw talent and untapped potential.
On the left side, 2025 five-star Justus Terry and four-star Lance Jackson headline the group. Jackson earns the early starting nod after posting 16 tackles (six solo), two tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Terry showed flashes as well, recording eight tackles (four solo) and 1.5 sacks in limited action
The production hasn’t fully arrived yet, but the tools are obvious in length, burst, and upside across the board. If this group can take that next developmental leap and turn flashes into consistency, the edge position could quickly become a major strength rather than a question mark.
Defensive tackles
Nose tackle
Starter: Ian Geffrard
Backups: Alex January & Josiah Sharma
Defensive tackle
Starter: Hero Kanu
Backups: Maraad Watson & Myron Charles
Kanu is back for one more season, leading a room filled with upperclassmen and a couple of redshirt freshmen in Myron Charles and Josiah Sharma. His impact starts with his quick first step and active hands — traits that consistently disrupt protection. I believe he’ll be back to causing quarterbacks problems on Saturdays.
Lined up next to him is Arkansas transfer Ian Geffrard, a massive 6-foot-5, 387-pound presence who steps in as the official run stopper. Geffrard recorded 13 run stops last season with the Razorbacks and brings the size and strength Texas needs in the middle. If he translates that production to Austin, the Horns could have a strong interior combination capable of collapsing pockets and clogging running lanes all season long.
Linebackers
WLB
Starter: Ty'Anthony Smith
Backup: Tyler Atkinson *
MLB
Starter: Rasheem Biles
Backup: Justin Cryer
SLB
Starter: Brad Spence
Backup: Markus Boswell
The Horns have a fairly new linebacker room outside of starting WLB T’Anthony Smith and SLB Brad Spence. With some turnover, Texas made sure to reload in a big way. In the 2026 cycle, they dipped into the transfer portal and added three linebackers: star MLB Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh), Justin Cryer (Florida State), and Austin native Markus Boswell (Akron).
They also bring in top 2026 class linebacker Tyler Atkinson, who should factor into the rotation early. This room now has experience coming from different programs and systems, which could actually be a strength once everything gels.
It may be a new-look group, but it’s loaded with competition and upside. Definitely a position room to keep an eye on this coming season
Secondary
Cornerbacks
Starter: Bo Mascoe
Backup: Warren Roberson
Starter: Kade Phillips
Backup: Kobe Black
Nickel
Starter: Graceson Littleton
Backup: Wardell Mack
Free safety
Starter: Xavier Filsaime
Backups: Jordon Johnson-Rubell & Zelus Hicks
Strong safety
Starter: Jelani McDonald
Backups: Derek Williams Jr. & Jonah Williams
The Longhorns lost three key contributors in the secondary to the NFL Draft: safety Michael Taaffe and cornerbacks Malik Muhammad and Jaylon Guilbeau. Replacing that level of experience and production will not be easy, but the opportunity is there for new leaders to emerge.
Texas added Rutgers transfer Bo Mascoe, a physical corner known for his playmaking ability and willingness to step up in run support. With Taaffe moving on, the door is open for Xavier Filsaime to carve out a larger role and make a name for himself in the back end.
Experienced returners like Jelani McDonald, Kade Phillips, and Graceson Littleton will be counted on to steady the unit. Their presence should help bring controlled aggression and discipline to a secondary looking to disrupt opposing receivers and reestablish its identity in 2026.