Why Jelani McDonald’s return is monumental for Texas’ 2026 outlook

As we all know by now, Jelani McDonald has officially decided to return to Texas for his senior season in 2026. The Longhorns' leading tackler from 2025 was debating on whether or not to declare for the NFL Draft, and he gave Steve Sarkisian and the rest of the coaching staff an outstanding Christmas gift with the news.

McDonald was incredibly good for Texas this year, especially against the run. His ability to process and sift through traffic near the line of scrimmage is second to none in the SEC, and he consistently plays bigger than he really is.

At 6'2", 200 lbs., he has excellent length as well which allows him to play with a larger coverage bubble than smaller players at the position. He also shows great ball skills when the football is in the air, being able to track and run under deep balls like a wide receiver on a consistent basis.

McDonald would've created a massive hole in the defense if he declared for the draft, leaving the team with an incredibly inexperienced and young safety room. Yes, Xavier Filsaime and Jonah Williams were both high-end recruits, but they haven't seen the field a lot. Derek Williams Jr. leaving also wouldn't have helped the situation.

Him being back for 2026 and being able to work with Will Muschamp should do wonders for the defense. A safety rotation of McDonald, Xavier Filsaime, Jonah Williams, and Zelus Hicks in Muschamp's attacking-style scheme will be incredibly exciting to watch next year.