Steve Sarkisian and Co. are going to have to be aggressive in this year's transfer portal at a few key positions, and perhaps the one that's flying under the radar right now is linebacker.
With Anthony Hill Jr., Liona Lefau, and Trey Moore leaving the team, the Longhorns have to lean on the transfer portal to potentially find at least two starting-caliber players. As of right now, Ty'Anthony Smith is the only returning linebacker who's seen more than 24 total defensive snaps heading into 2026.
That being said, the linebacker position is even more important in new DC Will Muschamp's defense, so Texas will most likely spend a decent amount of their NIL budget on the linebacker position come January.
Here are three linebackers who make the most sense for the Longhorns to go after:
Jon Jon Kamara - Kansas
Kamara is a big, athletic linebacker who did a little bit of everything for the Jayhawks in 2025. He was more of a sub-package or rotational player this season as a sophomore, but he was very effective when on the field.
At 6'4", 230 lbs., he has excellent size and length to cover opposing tight ends on a consistent basis in the passing game while also playing the run well. He'd be an excellent addition to Texas' LB room in 2026.
Eligibility left: 3 years (redshirted in 2024)
Khmori House - North Carolina
House was a massive Texas target coming out of high school in 2024, and it's probably safe to say that the Longhorns could have him as their No.1 target right now at the position.
He's an incredibly smooth mover in both phases of the game, often times looking like a defensive back sifting around the field. Despite being "only" 215 lbs., he's shown to be a force against the run for the Tar Heels' defense as well in 2025.
Eligibility left: 2 years
Steven Soles Jr. - Kentucky
Similar to how Kamara was for Kansas, Soles Jr. did pretty much everything for Kentucky over the past two seasons. He was used on the edge as a pass rusher and as a traditional off-ball linebacker for ex-defensive coordinator Brad White.
Soles Jr. is built more like a defensive end at 6'2", 240 lbs., but he has the athleticism of a traditional linebacker. Will Muschamp has preferred these types of "tweeners" in the past, and he could go after someone like Soles Jr. if he has the same mindset at Texas in 2026.
Eligibility left: 2 years